YELM, Washington — Wes Rhodes is 200 laps away from earning his first touring championship in a late model stock car, but he constantly thinks about what’s behind him over four years ago each time the Knight Fire Protection team heads to a ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series race.
This Saturday night will be no different with the running of the Wenatchee 200 at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval.
Rhodes doesn’t deny that winning his first touring division title would be a highlight for the team–but winning a race–something that hasn’t happened in four years, would mean so much more.
“There’s no doubt we’re looking forward to winning a championship but we really want to win a race this year,” said the six-time South Sound Speedway champion. “Our main goal was to run in the top-5 each week and win races and so far we’ve only accomplished half of our goal heading to Wenatchee.”
Consistency has been the mantra of Rhodes’ race team in 2008. Each ARCA West event and the Montana 200 have brought top-5 finishes, but have also added to the frustration built in since the team’s last win at Montana Raceway Park in 2004.
Heading to Wenatchee the focus on winning will not change, Rhodes said.
“I’m not out there scooting around for a fifth place finish I can tell you that. We’re always trying new things to get our car better and feel like we learn each time we’ve been to Wenatchee this year.”
The competition has also learned a few things about Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval, Rhodes added.
“Garrett (Evans) and Jason (Jefferson, winner of the last ARCA event at WVSO) have definitely got some things figured out there but (Erick) Hargraves has been strong the last few races and is picking it up well.”
Bagging top-flight runs each week has led to a 37-point lead on Rhodes’ Rookie of the Year teammate, Jared Vorse. The strength of the team’s consistency can be traced back to the .250-mile ovals that ARCA has primarily occupied in 2008, Rhodes noted.
“We were strong in Canada (at Sun Valley’s .500-mile) and did well at Yakima which are bigger tracks but I like the bullrings like Wenatchee. It’s so short and everyone is so aggressive so early that you have to be patient and ride and let things settle down then get in the mode to go.
“This weekend I want to stay on the lead lap for the first 100. If they get aggressive up front I can let them go and wait to the second half and see what happens. In my opinion that’s the way to do it (to be successful in the WVSO 200).”
Battling a teammate for the championship, especially one as talented as Vorse, makes the weekend that much more special, he added.
“Jared listens to me a lot over the course of a weekend and he’s a lot better than I am. Heck he and Dan (Wes’ son that will finish second in the Rookie points standings) are more aggressive than I am at times and do some amazing things that I’m happy to watch when I am behind them on the track. Jared’s my friend and I coach him as much as I can.
“This weekend will be business as usual and I won’t tell him anything different than what I would on any other race weekend.”
