NASCAR fans are in for a treat as legendary short-track racer Bubba Pollard will make his Xfinity Series debut at Richmond Raceway on March 30. The 37-year-old will pilot the #88 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr., marking a significant moment in his career and a testament to his talent honed on the short-track circuit.

The Earnhardts are excited as “Redneck Jesus” gets set to take the wheel for JRM

Pollard’s journey to the NASCAR stage has been nothing short of extraordinary. With over 100 late model victories under his belt, including triumphs at the All-American 400 and the Snowball Derby, the 37-year-old has earned the moniker “Redneck Jesus” in the short-track racing community. Despite his success, Pollard has always maintained his roots, expressing his preference for the grassroots feel of the short-track community.

His instant gratitude for the chance was evident in a statement on the official NASCAR website. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity that Rheem and JR Motorsports have given me… I hope we can make the most of it,” the racer said. This sentiment highlights the true significance of the moment for the Senoia, Georgia native, who has primarily focused his career on short-track racing. The opportunity to compete at the national level with a team such as JR Motorsports is like a dream come true, and Pollard’s down-to-earth appreciation reflected just that.

Co-owner of JRM, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s recent tweet further amplified the story, while also highlighting the collective excitement of the iconic new addition to his team in a tweet. “I called Bubba Pollard right when the JRM news dropped and he was busy running shocks on the dyno as one would expect,” the update read, which also garnered a reaction from Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar. “Bada**,” the 21-year-old said, perfectly capturing the essence of Pollard’s well-known dedication.

Kelley Earnhardt Miller, CEO and the other co-owner of JRM also affirmed her brother’s social media sentiments towards Pollard, stating recently, “JR Motorsports has grown so much over the years, but the core of what we do is to produce championship drivers and team personnel. Bubba Pollard is a great example of that sort of progression, and we’re proud to support him alongside a great partner in Rheem Manufacturing.”

The star of the show, Pollard himself didn’t waste any time either to thank Kelly And Dale Earnhardt Jr for making the impossible happen.

Bubba Pollard: “You Never Know What Might Happen”

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As Pollard prepares to take on Richmond, he himself acknowledged the significance of the opportunity given by Rheem and JRM. “Dale and Kelley and Rheem have a history of giving guys like me opportunities to race at the next level, opportunities that normally wouldn’t happen,” expressed Pollard, adding, “It‘s pretty cool to be part of it. You never know what might happen in the future.”

No stranger to high-stakes races, Pollard’s racing prowess extends from the Southern Super Series championship in 2014 to consecutive wins at the Canadian Short Track Nationals in 2019. His partnership with JR Motorsports materialized during the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 in October 2019.

While the new #88 prepares for his Xfinity Series debut, he plans to compete in the ARCA Menards Series event at Five Flags Speedway to acquaint himself with the heavier stock car. Moreover, post-Richmond, Pollard’s schedule is packed with short-track events, including Super Late Models and races in the zMAX CARS Tour throughout 2024.

Short Track Legend Bubba Pollard Feels He Is in the Right Place Heading to the 56th Snowball Derby