2018 Dover Preview

• This Week’s No. 41 Ford F-150… The No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Ford F-150 team will unload chassis No. 37 at Dover International Speedway this weekend, last competing in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Stratosphere 200. Nicknamed “Marshmallow” after surviving the shop’s June 2016 fire, the chassis last earned a seventh-place finish in Las Vegas, while previously earning a track-best finish of fourth at Dover in 2017. Leading 71 laps in the 2017 Dover race, Rhodes went on to earn his first career NCWTS win at Las Vegas last fall, leading 20 laps, all in chassis No. 37. Overall, “Marshmallow” has one win, four top-five and three top-10 finishes, while leading 151 laps in its 12 races.
• Dover by the Stats… Making his seventh start at the “Monster Mile” in a professional racing series this weekend, Rhodes has seen both ups and downs courtesy of the track’s mascot, “Miles the Monster.” Competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE), the NCWTS and NASCAR Xfinity Series, Rhodes saw a track-best finish in 2017 in chassis No. 37, the same truck he will bring this weekend. Despite other less than desirable outcomes, Rhodes has qualified in the top 10 five of the seven appearances he’s made at Dover, in addition to clinching his 2014 NKNPSE Championship at the track.
• Catch Rhodes in Dover… Rhodes will join fellow ThorSport Racing teammates for the NCWTS autograph session at the Office of Highway Safety Display in the Fan Zone at Dover International Speedway from 11-11:45 a.m. ET, Friday, May 4. Additionally, Rhodes takes the Ford Display Stage at noon ET, Friday, May 4, for a fan Q&A in the Midway.

You have a special opportunity this weekend hosting airmen from Dover Air Force Base for the JEGS 200. What are your thoughts on the unique experience?

“It’s no secret we’re huge supporters of our military, and whenever you get the opportunity to host men and women in uniform at the racetrack, it’s something really special. This weekend is no different; we’ve put together some care packages for our guests, and I know I’m really looking forward to a great time giving them a hauler tour, and showing the airmen a little bit of what we do.”

Friday’s JEGS 200 is one of 15 different racing venues on the 2018, 23-race schedule, that Ford-powered F-150’s have found victory lane. In 18 races at the “Monster Mile,” Ford Performance is credited with three wins, including the tracks inaugural Truck Series event: Kurt Busch (2000), Mark Martin (2006), and Tyler Reddick (2015). Additionally, Ford has five poles at the 1-mile concrete oval: Kurt Busch (2000), Rick Crawford (2002), Carl Edwards (2004), Ryan Blaney (2015), and Chase Briscoe (2017).

ThorSport Racing at Dover International Speedway
ThorSport Racing has made 39 starts with 16 different drivers (Terry Cook, Matt Crafton, Lance Hooper, Tracy Hines, Kerry Earnhardt, Willie Allen, Shelby Howard, Johnny Sauter, Dakota Armstrong, Todd Bodine, Jeb Burton, Cameron Hayley, Ben Rhodes, Rico Abreu, Cody Coughlin, Grant Enfinger at Dover International Speedway since September 22, 2000. The Sandusky, Ohio-based team’s success includes 269 laps led, has a track-best start of second (Crafton, 2014), one win (Crafton, 2016), nine top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.

Driver for Autism
ThorSport Racing’s quartet of drivers will be showing their support for Autism Delaware by displaying a special Autism Awareness decal on our Ford F-150’s during the JEGS 200 race weekend at Dover International Speedway. Autism Delaware, a leader in the First State on autism awareness since its founding in 1998, is working to raise funds and awareness during the AAA 400 Drive for Autism Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the Monster Mile on Sunday.