Bubba Pollard, one of the most well-known grassroots competitors in the United States, will be making his second career start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, in the penultimate event of the season at Martinsville Speedway.
The 37-year-old driver will get behind the wheel of the No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota GR Supra in the National Debt Relief 250 at the half-mile paperclip, which is located in Martinsville, Virginia.
SANY America will partner with Pollard and Sam Hunt Racing for the one-off event. The company makes construction equipment, port machinery, drill rigs, and cranes, which are fully loaded with standard features and backed by the industry’s strongest standard warranties.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race at Martinsville with SANY and SHR,” said Bubba Pollard. “I really enjoyed the experience racing at Richmond earlier this season. Thanks to SANY, I’m excited to be back in an Xfinity car and can’t wait to hit the track again.”
Earlier this season, Pollard got the chance to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Richmond Raceway, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports. The Senoia, Georgia native finished sixth in that event, after starting at the rear of the field.
Pollard, who has utilized the No. 26 for much of his Late Model career, will join Sam Hunt Racing and pilot a familiar number. Throughout his career, Pollard has amassed more than 100 Late Model victories and 15 championships across several divisions.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling than going to the track with true racers, and Bubba is exactly that,” said Sam Hunt, owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “He’s not only a true racer, but a great person who respects and appreciates the effort and sacrifice that goes into each race. To have him drive for me, along with having a great partner in SANY – is a dream come true and something the entire organization is looking forward to. It’s going to be a really fun weekend in Martinsville.”
SANY America is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, and will be on board the entry at Martinsville. It’s an ideal partnership for a blue-collar driver and his family-owned business and the family-owned racetrack of Senoia Raceway, which uses heavy equipment and machinery to complete daily tasks.
“Bubba is the right fit for SANY. He’s hands-on in every aspect of his business including his short track racing program right down the road from our Georgia headquarters where we manufacture heavy construction equipment,” said David Nicoll, CEO of SANY America, Inc. “He has succeeded through hard work, grit, and determination just like SANY employees, dealers, and customers. We’re proud to have Bubba in the driver’s seat of the #26 SANY car and look forward to a great race in Martinsville.”
The National Debt Relief 200 at Martinsville Speedway will take place on Saturday, November 2nd at 4:00 PM ET. Coverage of the event can be seen on The CW, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Photo: Tyson Gifford, TobyChristie.com