Bubba Pollard Takes Pro Late Model Victory at Cordele

Bubba Pollard visited victory lane at Cordele Motor Speedway for the third time this season on Saturday night, winning the 100-lap Pro Late Model feature at the Georgia facility.

The winner of both SpeedFest and the Georgia Summer Nationals in Super Late Model competition this year at Cordele, Pollard made an impromptu decision to show up for Saturday's Pro Late Model race. He did so for track time on the American Racer tires utilized by both Cordele and the UARA National Super Late Model series ahead of the World Crown 300 in October.

Still, Pollard is a threat to win any time he shows up at Cordele, and he proved that again on Saturday.

"It's a good win for us," said Pollard. "We just decided last-minute to come race this race. We really wanted to come and get some laps here. We have plenty of laps here, but only on the Hoosier tire. We wanted to come and get some good laps on this American Racer for the big race in October, the Super race.

"We had a good race car. It was a lot of fun. We just did it, kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing this weekend."

Racing with the Pro Late Model presented some different challenges for Pollard than his typical Super Late Model appearances at the track. Pollard qualified ninth, but started on the pole following the pre-race dice roll. Luke Yarbrought jumped out to the lead, with Cale Hall taking the lead on lap 16.

Hall led until Pollard regained control of the top spot on lap 59. Pollard appeared poised to cruise to victory, but a late caution as Aiden Potter and Jett Noland came together battling for the third position restacked the field. On the restart, Pollard held off Hall and Chris Davidson for the win.

"We just had a little bit different engine package than a lot of these guys," explained Pollard. "We just had a stock crate motor. These guys have big built motors. We were down on horsepower a little bit. That's why we gave up qualifying a little bit. We just struggled on the restarts, but after a couple of laps it would come in pretty good.

"Thankful to have that track position, it always helps. Just a little different package we have here. It shows you that a stock GM crate motor can win."

While the victory came in a Pro Late Model, it continues a strong season for Pollard. Since the start of June, Pollard has scored four wins and 10 podium finishes in Late Model competition.

"We really had a good last three months. We've hit on a package that's really good for us. We've been a little bit of everywhere, and if we haven't won, we've run second or third. That's all you can ask for, to be in the mix. We've just got to keep going and finish the year strong."

Tim Sozio finished fourth, with David Hodges, Jr. rounding out the top five.

The World Crown 300 is scheduled for October 25-26 at Cordele Motor Speedway. The 32nd World Crown 300 will pay $35,000 to the winner, and $2,500 to start.

-Photo credit: Rory Malloy/RPM Media

Unofficial Results - Pro Late Model 100 at Cordele Motor Speedway
August 31, 2024