NASCAR Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes throws out first pitch at Tennessee baseball game

As Tennessee baseball looks to extend its 11-game win streak, the Volunteers called in a NASCAR Truck Series champion to throw out the first pitch Wednesday night. Ben Rhodes did the honors.

Rhodes took the mound at Lindsey Nelson Stadium to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Wednesday’s matchup against Southern Indiana. He’s coming off a 13th-place finish in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and will be at Bristol next week for the Weather Guard Truck Race.

Before that, though, he’ll enjoy a college baseball game.

Enjoyed having reigning @NASCAR_Trucks Series Champion @benrhodes in the house to throw out tonight's ceremonial first pitch!#GBO pic.twitter.com/mwkRQkiEps

— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 6, 2024

Rhodes’ finish at last week’s race was his best of the season so far after wrecking at Daytona and finishing 28th in Atlanta to start the year. It was a tough start after winning the Truck Series Championship a year ago – his second championship in three years. He also had a memorable press conference afterward, giving some interesting answers while clearly intoxicated.

Last week, Rhodes watched Rajah Caruth win his first-ever race as he crossed the finish line first in Las Vegas. He battled door-to-door with Kyle Busch at times as he became the first Black driver to win a Truck Series race since Bubba Wallace in 2017 at Michigan.

That race also marked the first of Ben Rhodes’ revamped partnership with Kubota Tractor Corporation, which will return as his primary sponsor. He will don his orange paint scheme for six races this year, starting with Las Vegas.

“When we started this partnership with ThorSport and Ben, he was already a champion, and we couldn’t have been more excited to see him cross the finish line to win his second and bring home the trophy to Kubota Country,” said Todd Stucke, President of Kubota Tractor Corporation, in a statement. “Much like Kubota customers, Ben has the heart of a champion and is determined to get the job done right. We’re proud to be part of the ThorSport team and we’re looking forward to joining Ben in victory lane again this year.”

Rhodes also released a statement on the renewed partnership, expressing his excitement to join forces with Kubota again as he looks to bounce back from his rough start to the year.

“I’m thrilled to be able to represent Kubota once again,” Rhodes said. “We’ve had some great highlights over the years competing for wins and championships. I think 2024 is going to be an even better year.”

Jonathan Howard contributed to this report.