CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After exploring his options for a potential new home in 2018, Ben Rhodes will return to ThorSport Racing and contend for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.
Not everything, however, will be the same for the Louisville, Kentucky native in 2018.
After showcasing the No. 27 number last year for sponsor Safelite Auto, Rhodes will boast the No. 41 this season, the same number he ran during his Rookie of the Year season in 2016 with the Sandusky, Ohio-based team.
Alpha Energy Solutions is expected to be an associate partner for the 23-race tour.
“It’s great to be back this year at ThorSport Racing with Ford behind us,” said Rhodes.
“Duke and Rhonda Thorson have given me an excellent opportunity to build on our 2017 performance. We are working hard to start this year off with the momentum we had at Homestead, and after our performance improved with every start last season, I feel this year is going to be no exception. Having a second year with my crew chief Eddie [Troconis], and the same team, is a big plus. All of our foundations are there, which makes winning right out of the gate much easier.”
Eddie Troconis will return to lead Rhodes’ team as crew chief. The canny engineer turned crew chief led the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion to his first Truck Series win last fall at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway – a win that propelled him into the Playoffs.
Rhodes was in contention to make the championship four at Homestead, but a late-race accident with Austin Cindric eliminated the opportunity. Rhodes finished his sophomore season fifth overall with six top-five and 12 top-10s respectively.
The NASCAR Next alumnus will join Crafton at the open Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway test Wednesday at the 1.5-mile track, but will share the team’s lone truck between three drivers. Grant Enfinger, the former ARCA champion will also turn some laps in the truck.
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