Jeff Gordon has been a legendary figure in the sport. One can imagine that getting to meet him in person would definitely leave you speechless. After all, he is one of the best racing drivers that have graced the sport. For one NASCAR Truck Series driver, meeting Gordon in the flesh altered his strong personal belief.

Recently, The Athletic interviewed the 2021 NASCAR Truck Series champion. Among several questions posed to the driver, one was about being star-struck by someone they admired. Initially, the champion denied ever being in that situation. However, it was one driver whom he met that changed his perception.

Truck Series Star talks about Meeting HMS legend Jeff Gordon

In the interview, Ben Rhodes said, “I like to think of myself as a totally calm, cool, collected guy who just isn’t intimidated by anybody. But I know that’s false because I remember the first time I met Jeff Gordon, who was my favorite driver growing up.”

“I could not speak.”

It is not just Rhodes. In fact, anyone who would get the opportunity to meet someone of Gordon’s stature would definitely be left star-struck.

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The Truck Series champion later elaborated on how he ended up not just talking, but talking too much. In fact, he also mentioned that it was just not Gordon, but anyone of that stature would make him stand speechless.

When Ben Rhodes missed out on being a two-time Truck Series championship

Rhodes’s fantastic performance in 2021 led to his first championship title. And he did have a shot to win it all over again just the following year. However, his 2022 campaign would see him finish in the second spot, behind Zane Smith, at Phoenix.

Despite the loss, Rhodes is still young, at the age of 26. He still has a long way ahead of him. Considering how competitive he can get, surely he would get another shot at glory.

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It is still too early into the 2023 season to decide upon the trajectory for the championship. But fans can expect more from the ThorSport Racing driver.