Bubba Pollard, one of the most successful Late Model racers in the United States, will get the opportunity to debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next month at Richmond Raceway, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports.
The 37-year-old racer will have support from Rheem Manufacturing, who will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro owned by JR Motorsports, a championship-winning organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Pollard, a perennial contender in the Snowball Deby in Pensacola, Florida, has visited Victory Lane more than 100 times in a Late Model throughout his career, including the prestigious All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, and most recently at Speedfest for the third time.
“I’m very excited,” Pollard said of his upcoming start. “I really don’t know what to expect as it’s all very new to us, but I’m very thankful for the opportunity that Rheem and JR Motorsports have given me. I hope we can make the most of it. I’ve never had any laps at Richmond and I haven’t driven an Xfinity car, so it’s all going to be new.”
Next month’s event at Richmond will mark the veteran short-track racer’s first-ever attempt at the NASCAR Xfinity Series and his first foray at the three-quarter-mile Richmond Raceway.
“JR Motorsports has grown so much over the years,” said Earnhardt Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports. “But the core of what we do, from our championship-winning Late Model team to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, 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.”
Founded in 1925, Rheem Manufacturing is the only manufacturer in the world that produces heating, cooling, water heating, pool & spa heating, and commercial refrigeration products and is the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America.
“Bubba Pollard represents everything that’s good about racing from the sport’s grassroots to the highest levels, said Ed Raniszeski, Rheem motorsports executive. “What’s so admirable about Bubba and others like him is their lifetime investment in quality performance, professional dedication, doing things right, and giving it their best all the time, even when they think no one is watching. That’s why Rheem, the Earnhardt and Miller families as well as many others are thrilled to give Bubba the chance he’s earned and deserves to show others what we have been watching in amazement for years.”
Pollard recognizes the efforts of both Rheem and JR Motorsports in bringing new drivers from the grassroots levels of NASCAR to the sanctioning body’s top-three series.
“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,” Pollard said. “I have a lot of respect for them for how much they offer to drivers like me. It’s pretty cool to be part of it. You never know what might happen in the future.”
To prepare for his Xfinity Series debut at Richmond Raceway, Pollard will be competing in the ARCA Menards Series East event at Five Flags Speedway, in order to get acquainted to a heavier stock car. Aside from his Xfinity Series effort, Pollard has a full short-track schedule in both Super Late Models, as well as races in the zMAX CARS Tour set for 2024.
