Ben Rhodes 2017 Season Recap

Ben Rhodes, driver of the No. 27 Toyota for ThorSport Racing, finished fifth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Here are a few of Rhodes' stand-out moments from 2017.

Rhodes started at the front of the pack at Pocono Raceway in July, his second career 21 Means 21 Pole Award. He finished second, just behind Christopher Bell.

2017 was a year of firsts for Rhodes. Making the Camping World Truck Series Playoffs was one accomplishment he marked off his 'to-do' list. Rhodes kept Ryan Truex out after clinching the tiebreaker between the two drivers for the final spot.

Although Rhodes is less experienced than veteran Johnny Sauter, he wasn't going to let the former champion get inside his head before the playoffs. Rhodes reacted to Sauter's infamous 'mess with the bull, you get the horns' comment confidently. The two battled it out throughout much of the Playoffs.

The 20-year-old accomplished a lifelong dream in just his second full Truck Series season -- wheeling his way into Victory Lane. Starting sixth, Rhodes held off Christopher Bell in the final laps en route to a big win at Las Vegas. The victory sealed his spot in the Round of 6.

Entering the final elimination race, Rhodes was five points behind Austin Cindric for the last spot in the Championship 4. Unfortunately, Cindric made contact with Rhodes and knocked him out of the championship hunt. The crash also forced Rhodes' ThorSport teammate Matt Crafton to exit Phoenix early.

Season in review, by the numbers:
Points: 2,263
Wins: One (Las Vegas)
Top-five finishes: Six
Top-10 finishes: 12
Average finish: 12.4