LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 22nd, 2013) – 16-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, native and NASCAR Next driver Ben Rhodes has been known as a front runner in Late Model Stock competition at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC). In his last eight starts at the historic NASCAR track, Rhodes has finished in the top five six times, including a victory in August.
On Saturday, October 26th, Rhodes will once again try to drive the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Ford with Hawk-McCall Motorsports into victory lane at Hickory Motor Speedway as he will enter the 150-lap “Fall Brawl” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event.
The last time Rhodes raced at Hickory, the event didn’t go as planned. Qualifying back in the pack proved detrimental as he was collected in a lap-three incident, and later received more damage to his car in a multi-car pile-up. He was still able to race his way back to within the top 10, but broken wheel studs ended his race.
“Our qualifying effort hurt us that race, so we know we have to try and qualify a little better to stay ahead of the 
mayhem,” said Rhodes. “I am never worried about having a fast race set-up since Lee (McCall, crew chief) and the guys always give me a fast car for the race. It showed in that race as we were still able to drive back up to ninth with the car all torn up before the wheel studs broke.”
Besides wanting to rebound from the last time he raced at Hickory, Rhodes has added motivation to win this weekend.
“This is one of only two races left this year for me with Hawk-McCall Motorsports in Late Models. We have had a great year with five wins and being in contention to win in most races. I always enter a race to win it, but I want to win this one for Lee and all the guys on the Hawk-McCall Motorsports team. It has been a great year and I want to finish the year strong with them.”
In 2013, Rhodes is sponsored by Alpha Energy Solutions as well as Alliance Comfort Systems, Kentucky National Guard, Refrigerant Rescue, and Park Community Federal Credit Union.
The Hickory Motor Speedway “Fall Brawl” takes place on Saturday, October 26th, with qualifying rolling off at 5pm Eastern. After the 6pm on-track autograph session, green flag for racing action will kick off at 7pm. There are four other divisions also racing. For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit www.hickorymotorspeedway.com. Race day updates on Rhodes can be followed at www.twitter.com/benrhodes.
For more information on Ben Rhodes, including media availability, contact Jason “Stix” Buckley of STIX FX Entertainment at (704) 519-5528 or [email protected], and make sure to keep up to date on his racing career at benrhodes.com, like him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/benrhodesinc, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/benrhodes as well as Instagram at www.instagram.com/benrhodes.
# # # #