Ben Rhodes joins stout JR Motorsports lineup for 2015
JR Motorsports announced late Friday morning that NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Ben Rhodes will join the organization for the 2015 season, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for 10 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Rhodes, 17, joins team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne as drivers tapped to pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet.
Alpha Energy Solutions has come on board to sponsor Rhodes' 10 races, which include two events at Iowa Speedway, as well as races at Chicagoland Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road America, Kentucky Speedway, Dover International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"Ben is one of the rising talents in NASCAR," said JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt-Miller. "As a company, JRM takes pride in cultivating young drivers, and together will Alpha Energy Solutions, we're thrilled to give Ben a platform to further develop his skills at the next level. I'm excited to see what this coming year will bring for him and the 88 team."
En route to his first K&N Pro Series East championship, Rhodes scored five wins, 11 top fives, 13 top 10s, and earned the Rookie of the Year title as well. The Kentucky native also ran four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in 2014, earning one top five and three top 10s.
"I'm thrilled to be joining one of the top teams in NASCAR for the 2015 season," said Rhodes. "It's been my goal to compete in NASCAR's top tiers, and this is a tremendous opportunity with JR Motorsports and Alpha Energy Solutions to race in the Xfinity Series. I couldn't think of a better group of people to surround myself with to continue my growth in the sport. I am looking forward to working with crew chief Dave Elenz, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet with Dale Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne, as well as sharing the track with my teammates Chase Elliott and Regan Smith."
JR Motorsports earned its first NASCAR championship in 2014, when rookie Chase Elliott edged his teammate Regan Smith for the Nationwide Series championship. Both Elliott and Smith are returning to the team for the full Xfinity Series season, while the No. 88 team will have Rhodes, Earnhardt Jr., Harvick and Kahne sharing the seat time.
