Late wreck ruins Ben Rhodes’ chance to grab opening win at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A lap and a half in regulation separated Ben Rhodes from a possible victory at the World Center of Racing in Friday’s Gander Outdoors Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Rhodes’ No. 99 ThorSport entry had survived a particularly chaotic evening that would trigger 11 cautions by the race’s end — including a mid-race “Big One” that Rhodes said he “needed a new set of pants after.” But by Lap 100, the 21-year-old driver was leading the field when contact with Gus Dean set off a melee that involved 10 trucks in total.

RELATED: Full race results 

“I don’t know what happened on the outside, I’d have to see a replay of it. I just know I got hooked and turned around,” Rhodes said after being released from the infield care center. “Luckily we didn’t hit anything too hard, but the truck’s completely destroyed. Just a shame. I thought I was going to be able to get ThorSport a win here and make Duke extremely happy.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunities he’s given me this year. All the guys – we’ve got new pit crew, new crew chief, all new mechanics, new spotter on the roof. I just wanted to start the season off right for them.”

Rhodes’ 2019 plans became officially solidified two days ago, when ThorSport Racing announced he would pilot the No. 99 Ford this season. Rhodes had previously driven the Nos. 27 and 41 Fords in a three-year span for the team, earning two wins and making the playoffs the past two seasons.

RELATED: ThorSport sets driver lineup for 2019

The changes that Rhodes referred to also included bringing in veteran spotter TJ Majors to serve as Rhodes’ eye in the sky. A well-known talent at restrictor plate tracks, Majors has served as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s spotter and now spots for reigning champion Joey Logano in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Rhodes called Majors “a magician” at the superspeedways and said while he’s disappointed with the outcome of Friday’s race, his strong run bodes well for the rest of the season with his new group.

“This is one of the better showings that I’ve had here, being able to lead and control the race,” he said. “It’s crazy; I’ve been in the lead or at least right at the lead two times now here and just turned. Again, I’d have to see the replay, maybe it was me, I don’t know. I just know that I end backwards whenever I’m in the lead somehow. I feel like TJ doesn’t steer me wrong, I know I was doing everything I could …

“Had me a strong truck – didn’t qualify so hot, but had a strong truck. And with the leadership with TJ, we’ll go win Talladega.”

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