In a loaded class full of different combinations, Rhodes is unique with his small-block nitrous combination, something he’ s never strayed from over the years. It hasn’ t always been the easy road, but a major payoff came at Lights Out 9, when Rhodes went 4.388 at 160.19 mph in qualifying, making the quickest pass in X275 history for a small-block nitrous combo.“ We’ ve been trying to get to the( 4.30s) for a while now,” Rhodes points out.“ We were late to the party last year. We had some struggles trying to get the new combo sorted out. At the end of the year, we got a handle on it and we just hit the ground running this year. Everything kind of hit on point.”

Rhodes didn’ t end the event with a victory, but reaching the 4.30s for the first time and setting the record for the smallblock nitrous combo was plenty meaningful. Asked why he’ s been

so dedicated to that particular combo over the years, Rhodes deadpanned“ I’ m just stupid, I think,” but the real reason may come in the desire to do something totally different.

Rhodes’ work is building smalltire cars, mostly in the X275 and Ultra Street classes, which gives him an extensive knowledge of what it takes to be successful in the class that had 50-plus challengers in Valdosta. Doing things his way hasn’ t always been easy, yet Rhodes, the definition of a one-man band, has prospered thanks to his own innovation and a grueling work ethic.“ I just started being the guy that’ s stuck with it,” Rhodes says of the small-block nitrous combo.“ When we really started keeping pace with everybody, I was hurting some stuff. But you just kind of learn. You can’ t burn it up and win races. You won’ t last. You find how far you can push it and you have to look other places. The car

itself, minus the motor, is so efficient, just so I’ m not hurting stuff. I kind of tip-toe my way through and push it when I need to.”

One of those times came in Valdosta, when Rhodes saw the opportunity to reach the 4.30s and he grabbed it.

The Camaro is still considerably heavier than his talented counterparts in the class, but that keeps Rhodes working, adjusting and tinkering. Even as cars with different combos get lighter and faster, Rhodes keeps lurking and contending for race wins. After what he showed in Valdosta, it also may be the start of a big year for Rhodes.“ Fortunately, I’ ve been able to keep pace,” Rhodes says.“ I’ m always in the hunt. I do this because I love it. It’ s what I do and it’ s all I do. I want to race the best of the best, and that’ s here( in X275). When you look at it,( the class), it’ s pretty impressive.”

– JOSH HACHAT DI

BOTTLE- FED BOSS

Despite the rise of boosted engine combinations in X275, Ron Rhodes has stuck to his tried-andtrue nitrous-assisted small-block bullet with overwhelmingly positive results.

PHOTOS: IAN TOCHER