Defending ARCA West Champion Wes Rhodes and The Knight Fire racing team are set to embark on a new season and in a new series. Coming off one of his best seasons, including the championship, a win (Wenatchee), and all top 5 finishes, Wes is excited to get back behind the wheel of his Knight Fire Protection, Thurston County Transmissions, Larry’s Shock Shop Chevrolet. “We had a really good car last year and each week it was getting better and better, Larry Collins (Larry’s Shock Shop) works non stop on our shock program, he hit on some things at the end of the season that really stepped up our game”, says Wes. Wes ended his season on a high note by dominating the season ending 200 lap event at Wenatchee and he’s excited to open the new season at the place where he left off in 2008.
Dan Rhodes will be competing against his father again this season; however this year may be a little different. Dan picked up a new Victory Circle chassis in the off season after struggling with an out dated chassis in 2008. Dan is looking forward to being more competitive this year, his car will be set up identical to his dad’s so there should be some pretty serious bragging rights up for grabs as well. Dan will be sporting a new sponsor on his Chevrolet; Qivana has come on board for the 2009 season. Qivana is a new natural energy supplement just introduced this year.
Jared Vorse of Olympia, will return to try and build on his outstanding rookie season. Jared won a race in Kalispell last season, won the ROTY honors and finished in the top 5 in 9 out of 10 races. Jared has shown he can race and win amongst some of the strongest competitors in the Northwest.
All three drivers give great credit to their sponsors, Randy Knighton, the owner of Knight Fire Protection of Olympia, has been involved in racing since 1992 and has been a great sponsor every since. Larry Collins owner of Thurston County Transmission of Lacey, and is also the brains behind Larry’s Shock Shop has worked tirelessly on the set ups of all three cars. These guys are the greatest and love racing like no other, without them we would not succeed in this sport.
