Garrett Bunch is a former winner in the Limited Late Model division at Southern National Motorsports Park, but now he has his sights set on victory lane in a Late Model Stock Car.
Bunch, 24, from Front Royal, Virginia is teamed up with four-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion Lee Pulliam for the 2018 season. The two have had success working together in the past with Late Model Stock Car wins at two different tracks as well as numerous Limited Late Model victories.
In 2012, Bunch won the Limited Late Model portion of the Thanksgiving Classic and backed that up the following year with a runner-up effort.
“We ran here in the Limited car and actually won the Thanksgiving Classic one year so I have a little bit of experience here,” Bunch said. “Crate motor to a bigger motor definitely makes a difference on tire wear. Trying to keep it down on the bottom straight off is the biggest thing.”
Working with Pulliam again gives Bunch plenty of reasons to be optimistic entering the season. Bunch feels confident that he can win multiple races this season.
“Working with Lee here, we’re going to run around, pick and choose where we want to go and where we’re the best and try to do the best we can all year,” Bunch remarked. “We’re hoping to win quite a few races this year. That’s our plan. Hopefully, it pans out for us and we can stay out of trouble. Longer races are better for me. Try to keep the car underneath me and pick them off one by one.”
Bunch has had plenty of success in Limited Late Models throughout his career, finishing second in Limited Late Model points to Danny Willis, Jr. at South Boston Speedway in 2013. In a Late Model Stock Car, he has victories at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, North Carolina and Shenandoah Speedway in Virginia.
This season, he hopes to have a breakout year.
“That’s what we’re shooting for,” Bunch stated. “We’re working with Lee and his guys, working our butts off and working hard at the shop. Hopefully we come down here and show what we’ve got off the bat and hopefully, it just gets better.”
Pulliam, 29, from Alton, Virginia, has enjoyed plenty of success at Southern National Motorsports Park throughout his career, as a driver and as a crew chief. Last year, Pulliam won four feature races in six starts and guided Jessica Dana to a runner-up finish in the Spooktacular in October. He’s excited to be working with Bunch and Dana, who will both make appearances at Southern National, this season.
“It’s good to have Garrett back,” Pulliam commented. “It’s been a while. The last time we ran together, we won both races at Orange County Speedway. Jessica’s been impressive too. Real excited to have Garett back in the shop this year. I feel like we’ve got a lot of wins coming with both of those drivers. Got Jason Barnes and Brandon Jones as well. Hopefully, we can visit victory lane with all those guys this year.”
Bunch will start his 2018 season in the 150-lap Late Model Stock Car feature that headlines the season-opening Dogwood 265 presented by Solid Rock Carriers at Southern National Motorsports Park on March 3rd.
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