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| Chris Graythen/Getty Images |
Ben Rhodes has won the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship after he surpassed competitors John Hunter Nemechek, Zane Smith, and Matt Crafton to finish 3rd in this past Friday’s race at Phoenix Raceway.
The “Lucas Oil” 150 was a short and sweet shake up to the entire season. Rhodes who hasn’t won since the first two races of the season in February rose to the occasion , beholding a series title for the first time since he won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Championship in 2014.
John Hunter Nemechek who came into this race one of the strongest races all season, found trouble left and right, and watched his Championship hopes go up in flames. On lap 1 Nemechek would start 16th and made contact with two trucks, before making slight contact with the wall. All of that contact was enough for him to cut a tire. This trapped the Championship hopeful two laps down.
On multiple occasions Nemechek and The KBM team had opportunities to stay out and take the wave around, but instead made pit stops to improve the handling of the truck. Nemechek battled and got one of his laps back, but for a good portion of the race he could not get back on the same lap as the other Championship contenders. With around 40 laps to go in the race, Nemechek lucked out with a caution falling while he was the first truck one lap down. That meant that Nemechek would be back on the lead lap, and might have a chance to win the Championship.
While Zane Smith and Ben Rhodes battled for the Championship lead, both racing one another hard, Nemechek dodged his way through the field, and made a quick run up to 11th place.
Zane Smith looked like he had his first National Series championship in the bag, until with about nine laps to go, he caught some pesky lap traffic which slowed him down and allowed Rhodes’ No. 99 Bombardier Tundra to catch up. With eight laps to go, Rhodes gave the No. 21 Chevy Silverado of Zane Smith a gentle bump, sending the truck loose, and allowing Rhodes to snatch the championship lead.
In the final laps of this race Ben Rhodes shifted like a mad man to catch Zane Smith, and to promptly get away from him. In disbelief, the driver of the No. 99 was the highest scoring championship driver and won the 2021 Series Title. Based on his post race and championship interviews, it appears Ben Rhodes thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.
I have never heard a description of how someone won a championship quite like this. Engine noises. “I was pissed.” “It ain’t happening mama jamma” and “Championship’s cool.” pic.twitter.com/hrLwrxEV5E
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 6, 2021
Ben Rhodes finished 3rd, Zane Smith finished 5th, John Hunter Nemechek finished 7th, and Matt Crafton finished 12th.
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