Rhodes Rolls To Bowman Gray Victory #nascar #kneast

Rhodes has three wins in seven K&N Pro Series East races this season, the latest
coming Saturday night at Bowman Gray. (Bob Leverone/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ben Rhodes turned in a dominating victory in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 Saturday night in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East action at historic Bowman Gray Stadium.

Rhodes, a NASCAR Next driver from Louisville, Kentucky, became the first driver in four all-time races at The Stadium to win from the pole. He led all but one of the 152 circuits to emerge with his third victory of the season and extend his lead in the K&N Pro Series East championship standings in his first Bowman Gray start.

“My Turner Scott Motorsports team just gave me a great car today,” said the 17-year-old. “(Crew chief Mark McFarland) and I communicate really well. I didn’t know what to expect here having never been here before. It’s good to have a great team to lean on.”

Rhodes’ triumph was not without challenges, however. He had to keep his No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet out in front through 12 caution restarts – most with Gray Gaulding to his outside – on the tight quarter-mile for the hard-earned win.

“I had Gray right behind me just about the whole race,” said Rhodes. “I knew it was going to be a little tricky. I didn’t know if I was going to get moved up the track or not. If it wasn’t him, then it was going to be somebody else. That’s what this track creates.”

The final caution set up a green-white-checkered flag finish where Daniel Suárez beat Rhodes to the line to lead restart Lap 150, but Rhodes regained the advantage and held on for the checkers.

Suárez rallied from back in the pack after starting from the rear after making contact with the outside retaining wall during his qualifying run and finished as the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 runner-up.

Rhodes made it four poles in seven outings this season with top qualifying
honors Saturday at Bowman Gray. (Bob Leverone/Getty Images for NASCAR)

In his first appearance at the legendary quarter-mile, Rhodes posted a fast lap of 14.382 seconds (62.578 mph) to earn the all-important pole position. The Louisville, Kentucky native’s lap bested the series’ previous track record of 14.471 (62.193) established by Brett Moffitt a year ago.