One week after earning his fourth top-10 finish of 2012, which includes three top-five finishes to date, Ben Rhodes will get back behind the wheel of the Marcos Ambrose Motorsport #9 Stanley / Alpha Energy Solutions Ford Fusion to race in the UARA-STARS Late Model Stock event at the famous Rockingham Speedway (NC) on Saturday, April 14th.
Rhodes has raced at Rockingham Speedway in the past, including driving a Legends Car on the road course as well as winning multiple features on the quarter-mile Little Rock Speedway oval behind the big track, but this will be the first time he will race on the track’s one-mile oval.
“I am real excited to get on the big track at Rockingham,” said Rhodes. “The track has a deep history in NASCAR racing and motorsports in general. It was pretty cool to race here on the road course and the quarter-mile and this weekend I can’t wait to turn laps on the big track in the #9 Stanley and Alpha Energy Solutions Ford Fusion.”
Rockingham Speedway has recently undergone a lot of improvements as track owner Andy Hillenburg has prepared it for this weekend’s races. Joining the UARA-STARS is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, marking the return to the track of one of NASCAR’s premier divisions since 2004.
“After testing at Dillon Motor Speedway a week or so back, we stopped off at Rockingham Speedway just to check it out since I haven’t been there in a while,” explained Rhodes. “Andy Hillenburg and the entire track staff have really done a great job fixing the place up to get it ready for this weekend. The fans are really going to enjoy coming out to the track to watch us race the UARA event and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.”
The back-to-back races for the UARA-STARS came at a good time for the Kentucky racer.
“I am on spring break from school this week so that worked out really well since it is a short turn-around time from Dillon to Rockingham. I did enjoy a little relaxation time on a lake with my crew chief Lee McCall in South Carolina, but we were in the shop in North Carolina getting the car ready to race right away as well. On Tuesday I worked with the team in the Marcos Ambrose Motorsport shop and also spent time working out with Marcos and his trainer. I am very anxious to get to the track this weekend and see how we do at the Rock.”
Practice for the UARA-STARS Late Model Stock 75-lap event will take place on Friday, April 13th. At 7pm, Rhodes will be signing autographs for fans at Thunderfest in downtown Rockingham. Saturday qualifying will take place in the morning with the race taking the green flag at 2:00pm Eastern. For more information on the event, visit www.uara-stars.com.
Make sure to follow Rhodes on Facebook and Twitter for updates during the week and race day updates at www.facebook.com/benrhodesinc and www.twitter.com/benrhodesinc.