By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
For some drivers finishing second is a disappointment; however, Ben Rhodes leaves Martinsville Speedway as a happy driver with his second-place finish to Kyle Busch.
After qualifying 16th earlier Saturday, Rhodes did not think that he would be able to run at the front with the leaders. Luckily, his pit crew was able to have solid pit stops to get Rhodes to the front.
“We had a solid performance today, Rhodes said. “Our pit crew did an amazing job. I give a lot of credit to my guys on the pit crew and box for getting me my spots today. Before I knew it, we were up front.”
In the closing stages of the race, Rhodes was battling with Busch for the race win; however, Rhodes realized at how Busch was pacing himself, while he was burning up his equipment. Rhodes knew that if he could get to the bumper of Busch, he would be able to possible sneak away with the win.
“He (Ky. Busch) was pacing himself so well with his equipment, he said. “He was taking care of his stuff while I’m just wearing it out. I knew if I could get to his bumper. Mr. 200 or Mr. No. 3? I am going to take Mr. No. 3. I couldn’t get there. He raced me with so much respect and clean.
“Every time I am around him, I am trying to take notes because he is so good at seeing the big picture. I am getting better, but we have to get better as a team and get the trucks a little bit faster. We are just missing that little extra bit.”
With his best run of the season happening at Martinsville, Rhodes hopes to carry the moment to Texas Motor Speedway next weekend, especially with a new team.
“Running back to back with a team like mine being all new together, we have to keep this momentum going,” he said. “I am happy with a second-place finish because we have momentum now. We left Las Vegas gutted. This was a solid rebound to get everybody pumped up and ready to attack the season.”
We are getting better as we go. We are a young team, so everyone is learning. This is the first season together with a majority of my guys. Everything is different. I feel like we are logging notes and getting better with our setups as we go. We are all under 27.”