From JR Motorsports PR –

 

DRIVER: Ben Rhodes / No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet

RACE: Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 (75 laps / 169.35 miles)

TRACK: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

DATE: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015

 

Quotes | Ben Rhodes

 

“Mid-Ohio is a very technical course that rewards smart, patient drivers. To be successful, I believe we need to qualify up front and, once again, work on minimizing mistakes. One of my biggest areas to improve is my braking zones. I worked on this constantly at the Glen and will have time at Mid-Ohio to work on it again, which should bring more speed.

 

“My goal going into this weekend is to finish all the laps. I believe the No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevy has the speed to run in the top 10, but I need to be there at the end to capitalize on it. To overcome the adversity we have been faced with the last few weeks, I believe we need to tackle the problems and work toward solutions as a team. One thing that will help is strengthening our communication – that will come with time and experience.”

 

Notes | No. 88 Team

 

MID-OHIO ROOKIE: Rhodes has never raced on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course, but he did test at the facility in early June. Reports from crew chief Dave Elenz, veteran driver Regan Smith and others were that the JRM rookie performed well at the test, although Rhodes admitted to running off of the track once while finding the limits of his No. 88 Alpha Energy Chevrolet. In addition to last weekend’s NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Watkins Glen, Rhodes has previous experience with road racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, where he earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes in two road-course starts.

 

NCH PATIENT CHAMPION: The Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Patient Champion Programs honors courageous patients, including the patient champion who is paired with Rhodes and the No. 88 team. Alexandra “Ali” James, a five-year-old with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, will be honored as a special guest of the team this weekend. Ali began receiving care at the NCH Rheumatology Clinic before she was even two years old. Her picture will also be featured on the deck lid of the No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevy, along with her name above the passenger door.

 

ALPHA ENERGY SOLUTIONS: Rhodes’ primary partner, Alpha Energy Solutions, Inc., based in Louisville, Ky., is a mechanical service provider with multiple specialties. One of the largest self-performing service providers in the Midwest, Alpha provides building management services to commercial and industrial customers.

 

CROSSED FLAGS: Rhodes is halfway through his 2015 JRM campaign. Mid-Ohio will mark race number six of 10 for the 18-year-old. Next week at Bristol Motor Speedway, he will be off duty, but still attend the event with the No. 88 team. Rhodes then returns to drive at Road America (Aug. 29), Kentucky (Sept. 26), Dover (Oct. 3) and Homestead (Nov. 21).

 

For the full event preview, click here for the PDF.