MARTINSVILLE, VA – Bubba Pollard is returning to Martinsville Speedway one year after coming close to victory in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 and the prodigious driver has redemption on his mind and a car he is very happy with after Thursday’s test session.
Bubba Pollard, who is one of the most successful and respected drivers in pavement Super Late Model racing, was running inside the top-two with a shot to win the race late in last year’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway but was swept up in a late race accident. This year, he’s teamed up with JR Motorsports and hoping to finish the deal and take home the grandfather clock.
“We’re excited about it,” Pollard told Race22 prior to last week’s test session. “With JR Motorsports and Josh Berry, going into Martinsville, we’re excited. To team up with JR Motorsports and Berry gives you so much confidence going into that race knowing you’re in good equipment with a good team. It definitely helps so we’re definitely excited.”
In 2018, Pollard competed for Jamie Yelton’s Fat Head Racing. He had not shown a lot of speed in practice and qualifying, but he methodically got quicker throughout the weekend and eventually found himself in a position to have a shot at the win. It was a performance that impressed even those who respect Pollard’s skill and his résumé.
“You know, in some sense, yes, it did surprise me,” Pollard said. “Not having many laps in the car with the steering boxes and the brakes being so different and the car being heavier than what I’m accustomed to. The car’s just not what I’m accustomed to but all racecars to me have the same feeling. As long as we get that same feel in the steering when that I’m looking for, it doesn’t matter what you’re driving, you’re going to run towards the front or run good.”
Pollard found that feel he was comfortable with last Thursday and, despite being 26th on the speed charts, he was very happy with the car and feels very confident about Saturday night’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300.
“I’m happy with the racecar,” Pollard stated. “It drives good and that’s the important thing. A lot of these guys can go run fast lap in any type of race, but you’ve got to be able to have a good racecar for the end and that’s what I like doing is getting here, getting a feel for the things, the racetrack, the car and making adjustments throughout the day. Whether it be right or wrong, we learned that I can take into next week and that’s the biggest thing. The car drives good. It will be good for 200 laps and I’m pleased with it. I’m excited.”
While Pollard’s car was not one of the fastest cars on paper on Thursday, Pollard said it was getting the feel that mattered.
“Practice times don’t mean nothing,” Pollard remarked. “You’ve got to get it driving good. You’ve got to have that feel you’re looking for. These guys can bolt on tires all day and we could bolt on tires all day, but at the end of the day, if it don’t drive good, it don’t matter. This is just practice. It don’t mean nothing. Qualifying don’t mean nothing as long as we make it in the top-20. All that matters is who crosses that line P1.”
A key factor over the upcoming weekend will be the temperature changes. Temperatures will drop nearly 30 degrees throughout the afternoon and evening on Friday and remain relatively cool on Saturday, a stark contrast to last Thursday’s test session which commenced under unseasonably warm temperatures.
Pollard expects the temperature changes to be an important factor during the weekend.
“You’re going to have to keep up with the racetrack, the rubber, the weather. These cars don’t have much motor, they’re heavy. You can’t stay bound up, you’ve got to stay free rolling and that’s what we’ve got to stay on top of.”
Pollard hinted that Saturday night may not be the last time he competes in a Late Model Stock Car this season, saying he’s got his sights set on other races such as the Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park, a track he has won at in a Super Late Model this season.
“Our eyes are definitely turned toward the Late Model Stocks,” Pollard noted. “There are some bigger races, a lot of good big money races that are coming up into next year, whether it be with JR Motorsports or our own team, we’re definitely going to run more Late Model Stocks.”
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway will commence on Saturday night, October 5th at 7pm. Heat races will take place earlier in the afternoon and qualifying will be held on Friday night. Race22 will have RaceDay Live coverage from Martinsville Speedway all weekend. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will be broadcast live on MRN Radio and FansChoice.tv.
