Few drivers have achieved as much success in Super Late Model racing as Bubba Pollard. At 37 years old, he has celebrated nearly every significant victory in his career, but the Tom Dawson Trophy still remains out of reach. After entering the Snowball Derby 18 times, the Georgia driver is eager to end his streak of not winning this year, even though bad weather is making it difficult for him to prepare. With qualifying approaching, practice sessions were cut short due to rain, adding to the uncertainty of this important event. But, the man from Georgia is more than just a race car driver. Let’s take a look at the driver’s journey over the years
Meet Bubba Pollard: From his early racing days to Late Model Racing veterans.
Born in 1987, Andrew “Bubba” Pollard is a third-generation race car driver from Senoia, Georgia. With over 100 late model victories and 14 championships to his name, the 37-year-old is someone who commands respect. He’s a working-class family guy from Senoia, Georgia, making his living as a construction worker while also racing a Super Late Model in his spare time. As a third-generation racer, Pollard carries on a family legacy—his grandfather founded the Senoia Speedway, and his father, Sonny, also raced. His dad is part of his team, and his sister is his spotter. His wife and daughter often accompany him, as racing is simply a cherished family tradition for the Pollards.
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As a teenager, Pollard got an invitation to join the reality TV series Roush Racing: Driver X. However, when that opportunity didn’t materialize, he participated in a few races in the ARCA Racing Series. Unfortunately, his racing career struggled to gain momentum largely because of insufficient financial backing. But, call it perseverance or luck, Bubba reached Xfinity. The sentiment regarding his debut this year was that he earned it.
What are Bubba Pollard’s achievements and records?
He has achieved victory in several prestigious Super Late Model events across the country, including the Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway, the Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway, and the Winter Showdown at Kern Raceway, which is owned by Kevin Harvick. Additionally, he has won the SpeedFest 200 at Cordele Motor Speedway, the Slinger Nationals at Slinger Super Speedway, and the All-American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, among others. Furthermore, he was crowned the champion of the ASA Southern Super Series in 2014.
One of the most recognized racers in the U.S., he made his second career appearance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville Speedway. He took the wheel of the No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota GR Supra for the National Debt Relief 250 at the half-mile track in Martinsville, Virginia. Earlier in the year, Pollard had the opportunity to make his debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Richmond Raceway, where he drove the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports.
via Imago Richmond Raceway
Everyone was eager to see how a driver with such an impressive record in marquee races and championships at short tracks would perform on a national level, particularly after he topped the practice session in his first outing in an Xfinity Series car. The anticipation grew further as he struggled in qualifying, where he made mistakes in Turns 1-2 and did not deliver his best lap. Pollard shone brightly on Saturday despite being a newcomer to the event. He attracted the largest gathering of supporters, family, and media at the No. 88 Rheem Chevrolet on pit road. The crowd erupted when his name was announced over the speakers during the driver introductions, showcasing the excitement surrounding him.
“I hope I made them proud,” Pollard stated after the race when discussing his representation of the short-track racing community. Then he smiled. “I disappointed them in qualifying. I know some of them were laughing at me. I was laughing at myself.”
Will Bubba Pollard ever run full-time in NASCAR’s elite series?
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and sponsor Rheem worked to place Pollard in a JR Motorsports vehicle at a track where he could shine, thanks to his impressive achievements. This collaboration was celebrated by the racing community, which values opportunities for talented drivers like Pollard.
“I enjoy seeing the guys who have worked so so hard and have run so well over the years in Late Model racing get those chances,” said two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch to NASCAR. “I’m thankful to Junior for doing that. It takes money, obviously, to go to the race track. A lot of those guys use that money to race their cars and their programs and don’t spend it on a NASCAR program. I think for the betterment of our sport, it’s cool to see guys like that get a shot.”
An interesting thing to note is that Pollard’s cousin, Philip Bell, is the crew chief for JR Motorsports‘ No. 8 car. After his Richmond performance when he finished in 6th place, a return to NASCAR Xfinity may still be on the table.
Is another Snowball Derby championship awaiting Bubba Pollard in 2024?
Bubba Pollard is seeking redemption. The experienced racing driver nearly won the Snowball Derby last year but encountered problems while trying to overtake Stephen Nasse for the lead with just eight laps remaining. The two drivers have a history, as during the 2020 SpeedFest, Nasse spun Pollard with 15 laps left in the super late model race. Pollard later retaliated by dumping Nasse, sparking a heated exchange between them. So, it’s not surprising that the tension was high when both cars entered Turn 1. In a split second, Pollard and Nasse ended up in the wall at Turn 2, leading to Ty Majeski clinching his second Tom Dawson Trophy in four years.
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As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. However, with rain cutting short the preparations for the Snowball Derby, Pollard isn’t feeling very hopeful about qualifying. The 37-year-old mentioned, “I thought the racetrack didn’t have a lot of grip in it and it’s going to be very similar to what qualifying will be tomorrow night. I think we can take something away… We still had good enough tires to learn something… We were kind of making some adjustments to get where we needed to be and then the rain came. It’s just unfortunate. It’s a good balance on the racecar. I don’t think we will set a fast time or anything. Hopefully, we’ll qualify inside the top 10-15.”
With limited time for preparation, Pollard hopes to use his extensive experience at Five Flags Speedway to achieve good results in qualifying and the Snowball Derby. The veteran feels more determined than ever to claim a victory, especially after last year’s events. Despite the controversy surrounding his incident with Nasse, the Georgia native is keen to move on and focus on the race outcome. Sharing his thoughts, the 37-year-old said, “This time, we just need to be better. We’re already out front and have the track position, and none of that other stuff will matter.”
The reigning champion, Ty Majeski, is also participating in the race.
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What is in store for Bubba Pollard in the 2025 racing season?
If Bubba Pollard continues performing well, who knows, he might even be able to join JR Motorsports full-time. While the team is struggling with financial stability, if someone like Pollard can bring in a sponsor, things might change for the good. And, if history is something to believe in, bringing in a crowd won’t be hard for Pollard. He has performed well this year in the national series, and there are, so far, not enough good reasons to believe he would perform poorly.