ThorSport Racing is reuniting a championship-winning driver and crew chief for the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series season. Rich Lushes will once again join forces with Ben Rhodes.
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The veteran crew chief announced the news during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He told host Jack Arute that he would be back on the No. 99 pit box, starting with Daytona International Speedway. Lushes also explained why he and Rhodes have achieved significant success together.
"Over the last couple years, I've had a chance to work some other couple other drivers too," Lushes said, "and for whatever reason, the chemistry with me and Ben just works well.
"I think that's why we've had success together. It's just hard to find that chemistry. I've had it a couple other times in my career, but I'm fortunate to have it with Ben."
Lushes and Rhodes have worked together in spurts during their time at ThorSport Racing. They first joined forces in 2021 and celebrated a standout season. They won two races and the Truck Series championship after finishing top 10 in 16 of the 22 races.
The duo reunited in 2022 as the No. 99 team attempted to defend its title. They won another race but ended the season second in the championship standings behind Zane Smith.
The 2023 season marked a change at ThorSport Racing. The organization switched from Toyota to Ford as Hailie Deegan joined the driver lineup.
Lushes moved to Deegan's team while Rhodes worked with Jeriod Prince and Brian Ross for the majority of the season. However, ThorSport moved Lushes back to the No. 99 team for the final four races of the season. He and Rhodes went on to win their second title in three seasons.
Last season played out in a similar manner. Lushes began the year as the crew chief for Rhodes and the No. 99 team, but he moved to Jake Garcia's team after eight races.
Rhodes spent the rest of what was a down season working with Doug Randolph. The two-time champion went winless and failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile, teammate Ty Majeski won three races and his first Truck Series title.
