A familiar sight for Senoia, Georgia's Bubba Pollard, as he scored 19 victories in 2011. Photo by Justin Poole
By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 1/6/12
According to a group of motorsports journalists and racing aficionados recently polled, Bubba Pollard’s stellar Late Model season has been chosen as the top historic event in Georgia Racing History for 2011.
The Senoia, Georgia speedster went on an absolute rampage in 2011, scoring 19 victories in 43 starts, along with two series titles, the Gulf Coast Championship and the 2011 Viper Series Championship. In doing so, he pushed his all time Late Model win total to 55.
Among the highlights for the driver of the No. Ronnie Sanders Racing – Atlanta Thrifty Nickel racer was his first PASS South victory, which came in a photo finish at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, GA. He also won events at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, South Alabama Speedway in Opp, AL and Mobile International Speedway in Mobile, AL.
Pollard also was named the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame’s Driver of the Year in the first year of the award.
But the cherry on top would have to be Pollard’s emotion filled victory in the inaugural Beau Slocumb Memorial Pro Late Model event at Gresham Motorsports Park during the World Crown weekend. Pollard held off a hard charging Willie Allen to win the race named for his late friend with Slocumb’s family in attendance.
“Bubba’s spectacular season has to be the top story for the 2011 racing year, not only for Georgia but nationally as well,” said Rocky Sinyard of Motorsport America. “Pollard’s win-to-start ratio for the year (was) a mind-blowing 0.442. Has any other touring racer ever posted a comparable number? I believe that Bubba has secured a spot in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame with his outstanding year.”
Pollard takes a victory lap after one of two 2011 victories at Gresham Motorsports Park. Photo by Justin Poole
“The win record obviously speaks volumes but his drive to honor his late friend Beau Slocumb really added to his accomplishments this season,” said Lindsey Marks of Legends Nation and StixFx Entertainment. “In addition to taking the checkered flag at South Alabama one week after Beau’s passing, Bubba backed it up by winning the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model race during the World Crown 300 weekend at Gresham Motorsports Park in November. That was an incredibly moving victory and one those in attendance will never forget.”
Doug Turnbull, co-announcer at Gresham Motorsports Park and of WSB Radio, summed it up in once sentence.
“The choice is easy. Bubba Pollard’s season, capped off with winning his buddy Beau Slocumb’s Memorial 100 race at GMP.”
“Bubba Pollard in 2011 has done what every driver dreams of, WIN in every class or division he drove in,” said William Barber of Southern Race Week Radio. “Whether in his Late Model or in an Open Wheel mod he captured the trophy and often times made it look too easy. He has the right combination of skill behind the wheel, car set up know how and long running history of winning.”
Charles Head, long time race announcer and host of the CHAMP Radio Program, echoed those sentiments, adding, “His inclusion as racer of the year by the Hall of Fame was also quite an accomplishment as was the record setting pole at the Snowball.”