Connect with us

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Ben Rhodes’ Approach to Racing Shows Continuing Growth

Ben Rhodes has shown his maturity on the track in 2021. (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

Ben Rhodes has shown his maturity on the track in 2021. (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

Ben Rhodes is having a career season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. This includes a guaranteed career-best top-four points finish as he’ll be fighting for his first championship Friday at Phoenix Raceway.

The ThorSport Racing driver’s previous best was fifth back in 2017. While he has two wins this season, those took place in the opening two races respectively at Daytona International Speedway’s oval and road course configurations.

Despite being out of victory lane since February, Rhodes still feels satisfied about growing up as a competitor. Rather than pushing the envelope to get a win, his maturity has kept him in check while driving the No. 99 Toyota Tundra. It’s allowed Rhodes to embrace his job.

More so when there’s a lot at stake every time he straps in his truck, Rhodes is aware of his competitors who may not have the same luxury. At some point, any decision making could benefit or detriment their racing careers.

Rhodes has taken the high road more times than not this season. (Photo: Michael Guariglia | The Podium Finish)

Rhodes has taken the high road more times than not this season. (Photo: Michael Guariglia | The Podium Finish)

“The aggression isn’t always 100 percent needed to be successful,” Rhodes said “I see people want to trash different drivers online because they have to make split second decisions. You don’t know what they’re battling. Their whole career could be on the line based with the split second decision they make.

“If I pass this guy, it advances me into the championship and will give me more sponsorship or secure a ride. There’s a lot of pressure for a lot of people and we’re all doing this because it’s our living. This is our career and our whole lives are centered on this.”

Rhodes added that he’s thankful of being a part of Duke and Rhonda Thorson’s squad since 2016. Throughout his tenure, Rhodes has discussed with them and his race team about improving his craft. It’s allowed him to race with a clearer mind and think of the bigger picture.

This was the case last Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. Rather than angering drivers like many ended up doing so, Rhodes quietly brought the truck home in seventh, good enough to make his first Championship 4 appearance.

“The pressure is there because I want to win. That’s self-imposed pressure, but I don’t feel like I have crazy external elements that some other people might. I feel like I have a clear mind than most,” Rhodes explained.

“That’s what’s allowed me to go to Martinsville and sacrifice a race to come here to Phoenix. I put more emphasis on avoiding people and not being in wrecks or making people mad rather than win the thing. It’s smart racing and that’s unfortunately what you have to do to win the championship.”

Moreover, Rhodes considered the big picture with an observation that further defines his evolution as a driver.

“It’s a lot harder to go out there and race like that than go out there and go as hard as you can. Throw caution to the wind and push people out of the way. That’s easy. Anybody can do that,” Rhodes continued. “It doesn’t take any mental focus. The build clarity comes from people that can look at the big picture and see it as it’s unfolding, and capitalize on that. That’s how old school champions were crown and it’s still the case.”

Additionally, Rhodes used Matt Crafton’s winless 2019 championship campaign as a solid example of capitalizing at other people’s misfortune.

“(Matt) outsmarted everybody and kind of took some notes from that. That’s embracing for these other people. He just straight outsmarted them,” said Rhodes. “Why can’t I do that? I can outsmart people and like to have the speed. I like to win the races and outsmart them. That’s the most fun.”

For nearly the whole championship trail, practice and qualifying weren’t common ground. Rhodes wished there wasn’t extra track time because the starting lineup metric system has proven to create exciting battles.

The motive behind his case was feeling that having those sessions would increase the racing jitters. Unlike some folks who feel that most drivers quality performances have dipped, Rhodes stands the competition have held their own.

Rhodes realizes that the tenacity prevalent in Truck races' past may be prevalent tonight at Phoenix. (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

Rhodes realizes that the tenacity prevalent in Truck races’ past may be prevalent tonight at Phoenix. (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

“I feel like everybody’s have done a great job without practice. Being smart in the first few laps and knowing what they got and figuring it out before going after it. I really think having qualifying and practice could make it more aggressive,” said Rhodes.

“The comers and goers that you get from the metric system is awesome. It allows for more passing and allows for some good entertainment. But when you look at people qualifying and you’re jammed right next to the person that’s got a similar speed as you, it can lead into some fireworks. I almost wish we had the metric system because I’d be in the front row. Now I have to earn it.”

By honing his craft, Rhodes has been more calm in the truck. To the point things just click, but once he gets out of his truck, life becomes difficult.

Even when he made his Cup Series debut at Sonoma Raceway in June, Rhodes saw the perks of driver growth as he finished 30th in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.

“I enjoyed the heck of the Cup start. The more you get behind the wheel, it makes you a better driver. Especially when you go to the Cup Series where the depth of field goes further back,” Rhodes on his Cup start.

“That’s the furthest step you’ll get in any racing series at all. I’m racing at a track I’ve never been to or a car I ever sat in. It was a challenge, but it made me a better driver. That’s an invaluable experience, especially now going back to that track next year. If you have to go race for a championship and I’m going to Sonoma, I got experience and I love that.”

Knowing Sonoma will be on the Truck Series calendar next year after last running there in 1998, Rhodes reflected on making connections during the one-day show.

"It kind of feels good to be important." - Ben Rhodes (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

“It kind of feels good to be important.” – Ben Rhodes (Photo: Landen Ciardullo | The Podium Finish)

“Since I’ve gone there, I’ve met a lot of people out there. I don’t know if they have those relationships. It kind of feels good to be important,” said Rhodes. “Thanks to Spire for that because nobody had a crystal ball. We didn’t know I’d be racing at Sonoma next year in the Truck Series.

“Wow! I’m so grateful that I had that opportunity because it’s going to make that race way less stressful.”

Live coverage of the Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Sheldon Creed is the defending race winner.

Throughout my young motorsports media career, my number-one goal is to be a personnel that can be flexible with my writing and photography in the world of NASCAR and INDYCAR. Content delivery is vital because this is my main passion and what keeps me going. On the side, I also do sports production ranging from Seattle Kraken hockey to the 2023 NCAA Women's March Madness. All for the love of the game. With four National Motorsports Press Association photography awards, I'm not slowing down anytime soon. Outside of media, I'm super vocal about my musical tastes that goes from Metallica to HAIM. At times, there might be some Paul Thomas Anderson and Southern California references in my social media.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series