When you think of famous nicknames in motorsport, a few iconic ones come to mind. But for fans of short track racing, the name “Bubba” immediately calls up images of Andrew “Bubba” Pollard, who is one of the most accomplished super late model drivers of our era. As Pollard gears up for his NASCAR Xfinity Series return, he decided to shed light on the origins of his unforgettable nickname—and the story behind it is every bit as down-to-earth and genuine as the driver himself.

Some nicknames grow larger than the person themselves and embody a new identity of sorts, and that’s what Bubba Pollard is experiencing. So, why does the name Bubba stick when Andrew is his real name? On a recent episode of “Victory Lane” with Davey Segal, Pollard revealed the tale behind his famous moniker.

The Birth of “Bubba”

Bubba Pollard’s career boasts an extraordinary array of achievements. He’s a six-time Lee Fields Memorial winner, a five-time Baby Rattler victor, and a two-time champion of the Canadian Short Track Nationals. His resume also includes victories in events like the 2015 and 2016 Winter Showdowns, the 2015 Summer Showdown, and the coveted 2016 All-American 400. Pollard’s knack for big wins continued with the Slinger Nationals and Money in the Bank in 2017, the Master of the Pro’s titles in 2018 and 2019, and the Snowflake 100 in both 2014 and 2017. Add to that triumphs at the Oxford 250, Joe Shear Classic, and Speed51 Super Select, and his status as a short track legend is unquestionable.

But while his racing cemented his name, Bubba Pollard’s nickname origin story is rooted in his early childhood, a simpler time when a cute mispronunciation changed his life forever. “Yeah, I mean, really, that’s all I’ve known,” Pollard shared. “Usually, when people said ‘Andrew,’ I didn’t even know who they were talking to.” It turns out that Pollard’s sister struggled to pronounce his name, and “Bubba” just happened to be what came out. “We just rolled with it,” Pollard continued, laughing. “It stuck, and I don’t really know anything else.”

Pollard’s nickname became so ingrained in his life that even mundane things, like banking, got complicated. “We’ve had to change the banking accounts over to Bubba,” he joked. “Everybody keeps writing checks to Bubba, not Andrew. It’s definitely been a tough one, but we made it work.”

When asked if anyone still calls him Andrew, Pollard said with a grin, “No, not many, not many at all nowadays.” The story might be lighthearted, but for fans who’ve followed his career, it’s just one more endearing reason to root for the Southern racer as he continues to chase new racing dreams.

A Legend in the Making

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Though his nickname is endearing, Pollard’s success on the track is anything but soft. Growing up at Georgia’s Senoia Speedway, a track his grandfather owned, Pollard was practically born to race. Despite early setbacks, like missing out on a spot in ‘Roush Racing: Driver X’, he built an impressive career. From the Southern Super Series championship in 2014 to major victories at events like the All-American 400 and the Rattler 250, Pollard cemented himself as a short-track powerhouse.

Over the years, memorable stories and intense moments have marked his colorful career. One of the most legendary tales? In the 2017 Snowball Derby, NASCAR driver Noah Gragson dubbed Pollard “Redneck Jesus” for his grassroots popularity and immense skill. Pollard himself has often expressed contentment with staying in the world of short tracks, where the community and passion for racing feel authentic.

But Pollard isn’t all brawn and wins; he’s had his share of scrapes too. Take the infamous incident at Hickory Speedway in 2019. After a fierce race with Matt Craig, Pollard got into a scuffle with Craig’s father, leading to a suspension and fines. The situation only seemed to add to his legend among short-track fans.

As he prepares for his NASCAR Xfinity Series run with Sam Hunt Racing, he’s bringing that same grit, humor, and tenacity that have defined his racing career.