Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports will field Lee Pulliam as the driver of the No. 9 Folsom Fence Supply Chevrolet on March 28 at Martinsville Speedway, marking Pulliam’s first NASCAR race. This opportunity comes as Pulliam, a highly successful Late Model stock car competitor, steps into the NASCAR spotlight.
Pulliam’s achievements include two victories in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville and four NASCAR Local Racing Series championships in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Additionally, he has twice won the Virginia Triple Crown, cementing his reputation in regional racing circles.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Explains His Support for Pulliam
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed that Lee Pulliam’s talents were not fully recognized early in his career. During an episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. broke the news of Pulliam’s NASCAR debut and reflected on their history together.
“Done a lot of great things at the grassroots or regional level in late model stocks,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said of Pulliam. “He’s that guy like, you know, that did enough but never got looked at. He never got the call. We have remained friends with him through the cars tour, we often pit side-by-side.”
“Lee quit driving,” Dale Jr. continued. “Lee gave up driving to own his car and put drivers in it, like Butterbean and so forth. His father was ill, and he promised his dad he would give it another shot at Martinsville, go try to run 300 and win it again.“
Details About Pulliam’s Upcoming Race at Martinsville
The NASCAR debut race for Pulliam is scheduled for March 28 and is officially named the NFPA 250, a 250-lap event at Martinsville Speedway. The race will be broadcast on CW beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with radio coverage available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Reflections on Racing at Atlanta
In addition to supporting Pulliam, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his admiration for racing at EchoPark Speedway, previously known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. He highlighted the appeal and competitive nature of racing at this venue, noting its strong fan support and the sellability of event tickets in the current environment.
Recently, the Autotrader 400 took place at Atlanta, where Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing captured the victory—his second consecutive win this season and the 10th of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Reflecting on the race, Earnhardt Jr. said,
“The Cup (Series) guys. I know they’re driving their a** off. You know, set Daytona aside with the fuel saving. I know everywhere else they’re driving their a** off. But at Atlanta, I see it. Atlanta. As a fan. I’m watching. I see it. I see them busting their a** and working their a** hard. The big lifts. Fun to watch.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Recent NASCAR Involvement
Since retiring from full-time competition in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has continued to participate in select races each season with JR Motorsports. However, last year he did not compete in any NASCAR-sanctioned events, citing his commitments with Amazon Prime and TNT.
Significance of Pulliam’s Entry into NASCAR
Lee Pulliam’s transition to NASCAR under the guidance of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports is significant for both driver and team. It offers Pulliam a chance to prove his skills at a national level after years of success in regional racing. For JR Motorsports, this move highlights their continued investment in emerging talent, potentially shaping the future of NASCAR competition.
The March 28 race at Martinsville will be closely watched, as Pulliam seeks to build on his regional accomplishments and establish himself within NASCAR’s competitive ranks.
