During testing at Martinsville Speedway for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, Lee Pulliam received word that he won the 2015 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship, the third of his career. The news came in the form of a phone call from NASCAR Vice President George Silbermann.

“It’s a pretty special day to announce that we won our third national championship,” Pulliam said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. Growing up, watching Larry Philips and Philip Morris win multiple championships, and to be on that list with those guys is an unbelievable feeling.”

Pulliam claimed the track championship at Motor Mile Speedway, but that was not the only place where he visited victory lane. Pulliam won races at Caraway, Kingsport, South Boston and Southern National during 2015, amassing 29 victories.

Despite his success throughout the year, the title never felt like a sure thing for Pulliam, who battled with rookie Thomas Tillison, Jr. in the national points all the way to the final week of the season.

“I don’t think you’re ever sure you’re going to win a championship,” Pulliam said. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of effort. We won 29 races across three different states and just sent out a statement. This year, for me, was the most dominant because we did it at so many different places.”

Now, Pulliam turns his focus to the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on October 4. Pulliam, the defending champion of the event, is searching for his third Martinsville victory. It would also be another feather in his cap for 2015, which has also featured wins in the Hampton Heat 200 and the South Boston 200.

“It would be awesome,” Pulliam said about the possibility of another Martinsville victory. “Everybody had been wanting us to go to Langley, and we won there. This race is nothing about tire-management. [South Boston] and Langley, you just have the four you started on for 200 laps. This place is easy on tires, you go hard, you get new ones for the last 50 laps. It’s all up on the wheel, it’s a totally different race.”

Regardless of his future accomplishments, Pulliam has cemented his name among the greats in Late Model Stock racing.

“­­As a kid growing up, you always want to be a firefighter or a policeman or a race car driver,” Pulliam said. “And whatever you choose, you want to excel at it. It’s an honor to be listed as one of the top ones in a Late Model Stock car. Dreams do come true. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but if you put your mind to it, you can do it.”