Photo Credit: Noel Lanier/OnPitRoad.com
It’s been a busy few weeks for ThorSport Racing; the team announced they would be leaving the Toyota camp, and only had Matt Crafton confirmed to return to the team. Now, their 2018 plans look a little clearer.
The team announced a switch to Ford Performance in 2018, which had been rumored since they announced they were parting ways with Toyota. With the departure of Brad Keselowski Racing, this makes ThorSport Racing the only major Ford backed team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“With 23 years in the NCWTS, we look forward to our new partnership with Ford Performance in NASCAR,” said team owner Duke Thorson. “Our pursuit of wins and championships remains at the forefront of our objectives.”
As the announcements kept rolling, they announced on Thursday that Ben Rhodes would return to the team for the third straight year.
Rhodes’ return comes on the back of a successful 2017 season which saw him visit victory lane for the first time in his career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September. The 20-year-old will drive the No. 41 Ford, the same number he ran in his first season with the team.
Grant Enfinger will also return to ThorSport and drive the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment sponsored Ford. It marks his second season at the Duke and Rhonda Thorson-owned team.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back with ThorSport Racing for the 2018 season, and also to be back with Ford,” said Grant Enfinger. “A good bit of my earlier years in the ARCA Series were with Ford, and with their support we were able to go to victory lane quite a few times. I’ve always maintained a good relationship with those guys, and I feel that we can translate that into success in the Truck Series.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity that Duke and Rhonda Thorson have allowed for us this year, and last. I know we can build on what we had last year, and make them proud by seeing their trucks in victory lane a lot this year.”
ThorSport Racing ran four entries during the 2017 season, but it’s currently unknown whether the team will continue to do that in 2018.
