Ben Rhodes skips graduation to make NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in Iowa – USA TODAY
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Ben Rhodes, a NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie, is making his first start in the No. 88 Chevy owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Des Moines Register
NEWTON, Iowa — It took Ben Rhodes about 10 seconds to tick off the seat time — auto-racing parlance for behind-the-wheel practice — of his calendar year.
This is the list: One Chicagoland Speedway test, one driving-school appearance in Las Vegas and a few laps in the Iowa Speedway pace car Friday morning.
You bet, the 18-year-old is good to go for his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this weekend in Newton.
“This is one heck of an opportunity,” Rhodes said, “and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Rhodes is one of the most intriguing storylines entering Sunday’s 3M 250. During driver introductions, the plan is for the president of Holy Cross high school in Louisville to hand him a diploma — since he skipped his graduation ceremony by coming to Iowa to drive for his famous boss, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But this opportunity that I have is also a once in lifetime — and this will take me further than my graduation,” Rhodes said.
Most rookies would be swallowed up by debut pressure. With Rhodes, it could be a different story. He’s won here before — while dominating the K&N Pro Series East last year — and is piloting one of the best rides in NASCAR’s second-tier series.
This is the first in a 10-race deal Rhodes has with JR Motorsports’ iconic No. 88 Chevrolet — which so far this year has been shared by three household names: Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick (two wins) and Kasey Kahne.
“Since I have the experience at Iowa Speedway, it’s definitely going to help me,” Rhodes said. “I feel like we can maybe get a little better than a top 10, considering how well this car has performed this year.”
Other storylines fans should care about this weekend at the 7/8-mile “Fastest Short Track on the Planet”:
<b>One-off winners</b>
There are no top-tier, full-time Sprint Cup drivers moonlighting in Sunday’s 3M 250; they’re all pre-occupied with the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That means an Xfinity Series points-scoring driver could win for the first time since Ryan Reed in the season-opening race Daytona International Speedway.
Young up-and-comers might not say it, but they will welcome an unencumbered chance at being showered with Iowa’s victory-lane confetti.
Points leader Ty Dillon, 23, has one career win in 54 Xfinity races. Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, 21, is fourth in points but is seeking his first top-five in his first full Xfinity season. Other legit contenders born in the 1990s: Ryan Blaney, 21; Chris Buescher, 22; Chase Elliott, 19; Erik Jones, 18; Rhodes; and Daniel Suarez, 23.
<b>The Chase</b>
Of all the young guns gunning for Newton glory, the biggest rising star steers the No. 9 Chevrolet — and he won’t be here for long.
Elliott is going the Sprint Cup Series full-time next year — taking over Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 with Hendrick Motorsports. Iowa’s eyes will be on the reigning Xfinity Series champion, whose race weekend will have begun Friday night at Charlotte in the Sprint Showdown.
The son of popular NASCAR legend Bill Elliott finished fourth and eighth in two Iowa starts last year. Barring unforeseen trouble, he’s a lock for the top 10 again and possibly the win.
<i>Contributing: The Associated Press</i>
<i>Leistikow write for the Des Moines Register</i>
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