LOUISVILLE, KY (April 27th, 2014) – Ben Rhodes recorded his fourth top-five finish in five NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races of 2014 Saturday morning, April 26th, in the “Blue Ox 100” at Richmond International Raceway (VA), crossing the line second. The 17-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, native and recently announced member to the 2014-2015 NASCAR Next class extended his championship points lead as well as grabbing his fourth Sunoco Rookie of the Race award of the season.
Rhodes and his No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions team overcame struggles in practice, tuning in the car for qualifying and the 100-lap race, which was originally scheduled for Friday night after the Nationwide Series race, but was postponed to Saturday morning due to weather. Starting from the fifth position, Rhodes worked his way to fourth on the opening laps, surviving some fender damage from contact by another car, eventually cracking the top three just before the halfway point of the race.
On lap 60, Rhodes worked his way to second and rode in the runner-up spot, waiting for the right time to try and make the move for the victory. A late-race caution set up a nine-lap dash to the finish. Rhodes was able to close to within a car-length of the leader Cole Custer on the final lap, but wasn’t able to make the move, settling for second.
Rhodes extended his points lead in the championship standings to 18 points. He also continues to lead the Rookie of the Year standings.
Ben Rhodes Quotes
Evaluate your race weekend. “To be honest, there was a point I thought we might be in trouble this weekend, but the Alpha team really pulled together and showed what they are made of. We unloaded in practice with about a 25th-place car and was able to work on it to get it to a car that could finish second. That just shows the dedication of Turner Scott Motorsports. We never give up.”
You got close there at the end. Anything you would do different to get the win? “Not really. We still were fighting a loose condition coming out of the corner during the race, and that hurt our forward drive. I moved my line around trying to find something that would work, but I just couldn’t get close enough to Cole to try and drive by for the win.”
Are you happy with second being you extended your points lead or mad? “I always go to the track to try and win the race. But since I couldn’t win, second isn’t bad. Many of the drivers close to me in the points had trouble, so it was a very good points day. It wasn’t our best performance, but we will take it and focus on our next race at Iowa Speedway in a few weeks.”
Sponsor Support
In 2014, Ben Rhodes is sponsored by Alpha Energy Solutions, Alliance Comfort Systems, Kentucky National Guard, Park Community Credit Union, and Refrigerant Rescue.
Race Breakdown
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Race 5 of 16
Saturday, April 26th, 2014
“Blue Ox 100”
Richmond International Raceway (0.75-mile asphalt oval) – Richmond, Virginia
Start: 5th
Finish: 2nd
Laps Completed (Led): 100 (0)
Championship Points Position: 1st (by 18 points)
Rookie of the Year Points Position: 1st
TV Broadcast: FOX Sports 1 on Friday, May 2nd at 4:30pm
Next Race
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Race 6 of 16
Saturday, May 17th, 2014
“Casey’s General Stores 150”
Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile asphalt oval) – Newton, Iowa
Social Media
Rhodes is active on social media and can be followed on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/benrhodesinc), Twitter (www.twitter.com/benrhodes), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/benrhodes). PR updates on race weekends and throughout a race can be followed on his Twitter.
Media Contact
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 www.benrhodes.com.
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