LOUISVILLE, KY :: One year ago, Louisville, Kentucky, native Ben Rhodes made his debut at Rockingham Speedway (NC), racing in the UARA-STARS Late Model Stock event on the one-mile oval.  After starting third and patiently riding in that position during the race, Rhodes never had a chance to make a late-race charge to the front as a motor issue with just 25 laps remaining sidelined his efforts.

A year later, the 16-year-old driver will try once again as he and his Hawk-McCall Motorsports team heads to the North Carolina track for the 75-lap race on Saturday, April 13th.

Rhodes, currently in the third position in the 2013 UARA-STARS point standings, remembers last year’s event as if it was yesterday.

“That was tough to take,” said Rhodes.  “We had such a fast car and I was just riding in third when I started losing power.  I knew we had a good car since it rolled through the corners well and we had plenty of power down the straight-aways.  We had a great showing, but I really thought we had a car to win it.”

While he is with a different team this year, driving the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions ride with Hawk-McCall Motorsports, Rhodes has the same crew chief as last year, which gives him confidence heading into this weekend.

“Lee (McCall) had a great set-up last year, and it showed when we were at the track testing recently,” explained Rhodes.  “I think we will have a great run this weekend, and if things go the right way, we might be celebrating our first win together.”

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 75-lap UARA-STARS Late Model Stock race at Rockingham Speedway will take the green flag on Saturday afternoon at 2pm, April 13th, with qualifying at 11:10am that morning.  Also racing during the weekend is the Frank Kimmel Street Stocks and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  For full schedule and ticket information, visit www.uara-stars.com or the track website atwww.rockinghamspeedway.com.