Parade for a champion

PERKINS TWP. — ThorSport Racing driver Ben Rhodes took a victory lap through Perkins Township on Wednesday. Community members joined in on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team's celebration by lining the streets that were part of the parade route. Rhodes had a good time and did multiple burnouts during the parade. Maybe too many. "I went a little too hard because I didn't have any tires left," Rhodes said afterward. "When we got to the front stretch on Perkins Avenue, where most of the people were, I already burned up my tires. My left rear was going flat; it was all blown apart. They're all like, 'Give us a show, give us some smoke.' Nothing. "If we could do it all over again we would've changed tires right there on Perkins and just lit 'em up. Live and learn. Maybe next year." Law enforcement, an ambulance, a fire truck and the team's transporters led the parade with Rhodes driving his No. 99 ThorSport Ford toward the end. A truck displaying Rhodes' Truck Series championship trophies followed behind. Rhodes won his second Truck Series championship last month in Phoenix. His first championship title was in 2021. ThorSport Racing continued its festivities during the evening with a holiday open house and championship celebration at its facility on Campbell Street. ThorSport general manager David Pepper, who is in his 20th year leading the race team, thanked the community for its support. "This community has embraced us," Pepper said. "The parade, and all the folks lining the street, kids waving, people with signs… It truly does mean a lot to these guys who wear the ThorSport logo and work in here every day."