Up and Down Weekend for Pollard in Gulf Coast PLM Action

Georgia Driver "Ready for a Vacation" After Second at Five Flags and Engine Problems at Mobile

The Gulf Coast Pro Late Model weekend got off to a rough start for Bubba Pollard with a double-tire failure on the teams motor coach.  The issue caused the Ronnie Sanders racing team to rearrange their transportation arrangements to get to Five Flags Speedway for Friday night’s Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series’ Tucson 100.  The delay was a setback to the rhythm that is a day at the race track.  As a result, Pollard felt that the team suffered in qualifying, having to start 11th for the Tucson 100.

Pollard battled hard to race through the field from the 11th spot to and found himself racing DJ VanderLey and Augie Grill up front late in the race.  He broke up the side-by-side racing and followed Grill passed VanderLey with only a few laps to go, but couldn’t quite catch the speedy Grill.  Pollard finished second and maintained his points lead in the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series.

It was an up-and-down weekend for Pollard on the Gulf Coast Pro Late Model scene. (Speed51.com Photo)

"We messed up in qualifying (and) didn’t get any practice,” said Pollard of his night at Five Flags.  “We only got two laps in practice because we had to come in (to the track) late.  For what we’ve been through all day, second place is pretty good for us.

“I could stay with [Grill], but I was just on the verge of losing it up off [the corner],” said Pollard.  “I slipped up off of turn two one time and he pulled away by two car lengths there, then I couldn’t catch him.  But it was a good race; I like close racing and it’s a lot of fun.”

The start of the day on Saturday at Mobile International Speedway went a little smoother, but the end was a continuation of the weekend’s bad luck.  Pollard found himself among the fastest in practice, posting a top five speed.  That speed led to qualifying second, then drawing the second starting spot in the first of the Midwest Cooling Towers Wild Card Twin 50’s. 

In the race, Pollard was fast early as he and VanderLey raced side-by-side for many laps.  The night turned south, however, as on lap 13 Pollard began to drop backwards.  Coming to a stop just shy of the start/finish line, Pollard’s night, and bid to win his eighth race at MIS in a row, ended with a blown motor.  With the engine failure, Pollard was unable to start the second 50 lap race of the night, but was still able to compete in the local division modified race where he led the most laps and came out on top, winning the race.

“We just lost oil pressure,” said Pollard.  “It’s just racing, just one of those things. 

“After the weekend we’ve had, I am ready for a vacation.”

Pollard will now have a weekend off for some rest and relaxation before getting back to work on the track on August 6th in the Viper Pro Late Model event at South Alabama Speedway.