Series PR

February 6th, 2011 — The UARA is full speed with preparations for the 2012 race season. There will be new teams and new faces coming to the plate with just as much determination as the seasoned veterans that will be making their return in 2012.  Three such young guns will be Ben Rhodes, Dillon Bassett and Devin Jones .

Ben Rhodes is a fourteen year old from Louisville, KY who has signed on with Marcos Ambrose Motorsports for the 2012 season.  Rhodes is filling in the seat left vacant by 2011 UARA Rookie of the Year George Miedecke.  Rhodes will be contending for the title in the UARA for 2012. The car will be maintained by Jamie Yelton’s Fat Head Racing with legendary NASCAR crew member Lee McCall serving as Crew Chief.  “I am looking forward to driving for Marcos Ambrose Motorsport,” said Rhodes. “It has been an honor getting to know Marcos this season, and I cannot wait until I drive for his team full time.”.  Rhodes has been doing extensive testing with the FHR team during the off season in preparation for the upcoming season.

Dillon Bassett has his sights on the Rookie of the Year title as well.  Bassett began his racing career at age 8 in the Bandoleros.  He progressed to the Legends and then the Limited Late Models.  He now is stepping up to Late Model Stocks at the age of 14.  Bassett is a sophomore at Union Grove Christian School in Winston-Salem NC.  Bassett is no stranger to the podium at Championship Banquets.  He just claimed the winning prize in the Limited division for Ace Speedway and received all the hardware that goes with that this past Saturday. He is very active in school sports when he isn’t sitting in the drivers seat of a race car.  Bassett will have the strong support of his family present at each event.  One of his toughest competitors will be big brother Ronnie Bassett, Jr. who will have his sights on the Championship.  It will be an exciting and interesting year for the Bassett Racing team.

Devin Jones is 17 year old.  Jones is an 11th Grade Honor student at Lake Norman High School.  Jones raced karts in California kicking off his racing career.  He ran karts from 2004-2007.  His family moved to Charlotte, NC in 2007 and he moved up to the Legends cars at age 13.  In 2008 Jones ran his first Pro Challenge race.  He has competed in Super Late Models and the PASS series.  2011 found Jones running in Late Models Stocks.  His goal is to be the 2012 UARA Rookie of the Year and to win the coveted UARA Championship.  Jones has great ambitions but he will not be alone in this quest.

The UARA takes this time to reflect on two past Champion Matt McCall and congratulate him and Meredith Adler McCall on their recent nuptials.  Wishing them the very best in their new life adventure.

The UARA-STARS will be in action March 17, 2012  at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway.