Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski Thank Dale Earnhardt Jr. for Fulfilling Short Track Legend’s 20-Year Dream

Every good effort that you make never goes unnoticed. The same can be said for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s recent successful endeavor. Bubba Pollard, a 37-year-old Super Late Model legend, recently got wings to fly at his debut Xfinity race at Richmond Raceway. JR Motorsports turned his long 20-year dream into reality by having faith in Pollard’s racing talents.

Pollard turned heads at the 0.750-mile short track. He worked his way from a 37th-place starting position to clinch a fascinating 6th-place finish. As NASCAR fans and media went gaga over his success, some veteran drivers also took note of his skills. Two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch bubbled with praises for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s amazing efforts.

Busch said, “I enjoy seeing the guys who have worked so so hard and have run so well over the years in Late Model racing get those chances. I’m thankful of Junior for doing that. It takes money obviously to go to the race track. A lot of those guys use that money to go race their own cars and their programs and don’t spend it on a NASCAR program. I think for the betterment of our sport, it’s cool to see guys like that get a shot.”

Even 2012 Cup champ Brad Keselowski ensured to put in a word of appreciation. “I thought the opportunity was well earned. Dale has some privileges that not all of us enjoy with the ability to be able to do things like that, having partners that allow him to do that. He did it for me. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. At the end of the day, I think it’s good for everybody.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a full-time Cup career dotted with glittering victories. He fetched 26 Cup wins, two of them at the prestigious Daytona International Speedway in 2004 and 2014. Immediately after his 2014 Daytona triumph, Dale Jr. was determined to join the social media world. Although he is a 15-time Most Popular Driver award holder, Earnhardt used his popularity for nobly spirited means. 

Dale Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller’s home brand, JR Motorsports, is known for its good efforts. It serves as a trampoline for upcoming drivers to bounce to a fantastic debut in NASCAR. However, it is not just limited to young drivers and strives to give opportunities to those who never got them, but certainly are deserving. A similar situation unfolded recently, attracting the appreciation of many veteran drivers.

Dale Earnhardt Jr has groomed other drivers as well. JR Motorsports also provided a pathway for Josh Berry to spring from Late Model Racing to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. Now he has come a long way, currently driving full-time in the Cup Series for Stewart-Haas Racing. Pollard, although still honing his status as a stock car racer, had a huge crowd of fans cheering at his Xfinity debut.

Pollard received a lot of love at the race

Bubba Pollard was pumped to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet under Dale Earnhardt Jr’s esteemed team. Yet he faltered a little at the qualifying race, as he overdrove Turns 1-2 and botched his lap. But he more than made up for it at the final race, as he worked his way through 36 cars to get into the top ten.

And all the while his family and friends were there to cheer for him. He was the star of the show, as the largest crowd of people gathered to chant his name. The announcement of his name over the speakers also drew one of the biggest roars from fans. Everybody was eager to see how a driver holding massive race wins and championships on short tracks would perform at NASCAR. Addressing the short-track community, Pollard said, “I hope I made them proud.”

Pollard is sure to wow us further in his bright future in NASCAR backed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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