LOUISVILLE, KY :: In March of this year, 16-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, native Ben Rhodes and his Hawk-McCall Motorsports team executed perfect strategy in the “Myrtle Beach 400” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock event at Myrtle Beach Speedway (SC), a make-up event from 2012. Dropping back in the field to save tires, Rhodes raced his way under the leader coming off turn four, taking the white flag and looking for, at that time, his first-career Late Model Stock victory. However, contact from the car he was passing ended his run at the win, one lap short.
On Sunday, November 24th, Rhodes will try one more time to hoist the winner’s trophy as the NASCAR Next driver will race the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Ford in the 2013 Myrtle Beach 400.
The “one that got away” might be on the mind of Rhodes heading into the race weekend as he still isn’t sure what he could have done different on the last lap in March, or why the officials penalized him, stripping him of the win.
“Lee (McCall, crew chief) called a perfect strategy for us by having me drop back and save tires in both segments of the race,” said Rhodes. “We didn’t quite get to the lead during the first half, so the second half we started our charge to the front about 10 laps earlier. I got under the leader coming out of turn four coming to the white flag and going into turn one I had the inside line. The other driver drove down across the front nose of my car and spun himself out. I guess I could have backed out of it, but I had the position and really didn’t think he would do that. I really didn’t think the race officials would take that win away from me because it wasn’t my move that caused the wreck.
“That was back in March though. I still do not agree with the decision made, but instead of being upset about it we used it to motivate us.”
That motivation kicked off a season of strong finishes, which included six victories in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition. Now on his return to Myrtle Beach on the heels of the “Fall Brawl” victory at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC) in October, Rhodes, who earned the nickname “Savage” for his nature of attacking the tracks he competes in, looks towards a redemption victory in his final 2013 appearance.
“I really want to win the race this weekend, not only to give my Hawk-McCall Motorsports team the Myrtle Beach 400 victory they should have had in March, but also to end the year with a win. This will be my last Late Model Stock race of 2013 and I will be shifting focus to the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East full season with Turner Scott Motorsports, so I want to get one more win for Lee and all the guys as well as my sponsors and fans.”
Even though a victory this weekend is the goal, it isn’t the measure of success for the season.
“Lee and the guys gave me a race-winning car every time we went to the track this year. Circumstances out of our control took us out of contention at many races, but we were able to win six times. We are going to Myrtle Beach to have some fun and race, and no matter if we end up in victory lane or not, we consider it a successful year.”
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.
Practice for the Myrtle Beach 400 will take place Wednesday – Saturday, November 21st, with qualifying and four 25-lap last-chance races happening Saturday afternoon. The green flag for the 200-lap Late Model Stock portion of the Myrtle Beach 400 will take place at approximately 2pm Eastern after the conclusion of the 100-lap Limited Late Model event. For full schedule information and tickets, visit www.myrtlebeachspeedway.com.
