Rhodes Returns to NHMS
Ben Rhodes of Louisville, KY is making his third NASCAR XFINITY Series start for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet. His 10 races include a short track, road courses, one mile, and 1.5-mile tracks.
“It’s a diverse schedule as you can get in NASCAR,” Rhodes said. “I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s a lot to learn, a lot to take in, but I have a lot of good teachers that have really stepped up and really helped me out and have gone out of their way to make sure that I’m learning and welcome in here at JR Motorsports.”
Rhodes shares the No. 88 with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Kasey Kahne. Harvick, the defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, scored two wins for the team.
“The understanding is unique so going to Chase Elliott, Dale, Kevin, Kasey, Regan Smith it’s cool because we all share that similar understanding and the way that they describe a car may be just a little bit different than how I describe it or how they like it. … They go out of their way to help me. They know that I’m a rookie and they know that I need the experience, that I need the help, and it’s cool that they really work hard to make sure that I’m learning and making the most of this opportunity.”
Rhodes has been traveling with the team to learn the XFINITY Series. He has been analyzing information from the team and drivers, and watched the races in the spotter’s stand.
“I get all the information that the crews have, the engineers, the crew chief, the car chief, and I study the information with them. They teach me what each change means… how they affect these cars. I’m learning what the drivers feel Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. I’m getting their feedback about how the air affects the car, different ways that they can race. Then I go up into the spotter stand and kind of watch how it all plays out.”
Rhodes felt he understood the series and was more confident before his debut at Iowa, where he finished seventh.
“It’s the best way to learn and understand everything besides being in the car itself and I will say I’m glad that I didn’t race the first couple of races this year and got to watch. …. Since I do have that time outside the race car and bonding with the team and seeing how everything’s ran, I think it made my first race a lot better.”
Experience in the XFINITY Series is critical for Rhodes. Chicagoland, Homestead-Miami, Mid-Ohio, and Road America are new tracks. He has already completed his two tests and is focused on the simulator to help his seat time.
He will race four times next month, his busiest part of the season.
“I’ve been looking to get back in a rhythm get in the racecar week in and week out and it’s going to be a dream come true in August and then when September rolls around I’m going to be craving it and wishing I was back in it even more.
The three road course races next month will be a new experience for him. Rhodes’ career began in dirt go karts in Louisville and has limited road racing experience. He finished third at Watkins Glen last year.
“It’s baptism by fire with these road course races. …. This is definitely not my forte, but we’re going to work on it and maybe one day it will become my strong suit. … I know a lot of NASCAR drivers have made a successful transition and done quite well.”
The rookie won five times last year en route to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title. He won the pole here and has experience at Dover and Iowa in the series.
“I can still expect all the bumps where they’re at. I can expect the groove to be the same, but the way that the car reacts to the track is going to be quite different and what I need to do to race on this track is going to be quite different. So everything’s changing but I know that at least the knowledge that I have of the track is the same. That gives me confidence and comfort.”
Rhodes began his career in Go Karts. He moved to INEX Bandoleros and Legend Cars. He drove Late Models in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and the old UARA tour. He raced two seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with limited races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series before moving to the NASCAR XFINITY Series this season.
“Every single one you have to drive differently and you had to learn what the car was going to do to make it better for the race, so I’ve kind of been through this before. This isn’t a first for me on having to click the reset button and start over and go to everybody and become a rookie again. But I can pull from my previous experiences and make the most of it.”
Rhodes’ goal is a top 10 in Saturday’s race, but he pointed out that he needs to finish every lap for seat time.
Rhodes attended Hendrick’s family night recently.
“It’s all one big family here at JR Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports. It’s cool to be associated with that and I’m trying to get to know everybody.”
The 18-year-old NASCAR Next alum would like to stay in the XFINITY Series.
“This is the home for me for at least a couple of years in the XFINITY Series or I’d like it to be my home. That’s yet to be seen. I’ve got 10 races on the schedule this year to kind of show what I’ve got and hopefully work on a full-time deal for next year and see where I end up.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com