Lee Pulliam, a four-time NASCAR Local Racing Series national champion, is set to make his NASCAR debut on March 28 at Martinsville Speedway. The veteran driver will pilot the No. 9 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, marking a significant milestone in his career. This opportunity, announced by JR Motorsports on Tuesday, highlights Pulliam’s step onto a larger national stage.
The event, the NFPA 250, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on The CW Network, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Known as one of the top drivers in Late Model Stock car racing, Pulliam’s journey to this NASCAR debut has been long awaited.
Pulliam Reflects on Career Milestones and Opportunities
Pulliam has claimed the NASCAR Local Racing Series national championship four times—in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017—and holds two wins at Martinsville. He has also achieved significant victories at tracks like South Boston, Langley, Myrtle Beach, and Southern National. Despite these accomplishments, he had not previously competed in NASCAR’s top three national divisions, with his only national series experience consisting of six starts in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2014, where he finished in the top five once.
After spending several years focusing on his ownership role with Lee Pulliam Performance, where he helped develop drivers like Corey Heim and Brenden Queen, Pulliam returned to driving in 2024. He made a one-off Late Model Stock start at Martinsville, finishing 12th, then improved to second place a year later. His runner-up finish at Southern National in the fall of 2025 rekindled his competitive ambition.
The No. 9 car at JR Motorsports, in which Pulliam will compete, has seen success recently with two wins in 2025 by Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez. The vehicle remains a part-time entry in 2026, sharing appearances between drivers Ross Chastain, van Gisbergen, Carson Kvapil, and Pulliam himself.
Preparing for the NASCAR Challenge with Continued Late Model Racing
Before his NASCAR debut, Pulliam planned a series of early 2026 Late Model Stock races to sharpen his driving skills. He began the year with a third-place finish in the Icebreaker event at Florence Motor Speedway, with Kevin Harvick’s son, Keelan Harvick, winning that race.
A scheduled CARS Tour event at Coastal Plains Raceway on February 21 was canceled, shifting Pulliam’s focus to the 125-lap race at Southern National Motorsports Park on February 28, which serves as the CARS LMSC Tour opener. Reflecting on his return to the Late Model series, Pulliam shared:
“I’m excited for sure. The CARS Tour presents such a competitive opportunity week in and week out. When you run those races, you have to be in top shape with really good equipment, and the driver has to do a really good job. The challenge is what makes it exciting for me and I’m looking forward to seeing where I stack up.” – Lee Pulliam
After years centered on team ownership, Pulliam expressed a desire to race more frequently again. He revised his fitness and nutrition routines to prepare for a busier schedule behind the wheel in 2026.
Familiar Circuits and New Challenges Ahead
Pulliam’s upcoming NASCAR debut will take place at the familiar Martinsville Speedway, a track where he has previously triumphed in Late Model competition. Southern National, where he also holds a Thanksgiving Classic win from 2015 and a recent second-place finish, remains an important stop on his racing calendar. However, competing at Martinsville in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will bring a higher level of competition and demand.
This entry into national NASCAR competition with JR Motorsports reflects both a culmination of Pulliam’s achievements in Late Model racing and the start of a new chapter on a larger stage. His experiences as a driver and owner, combined with his recent successes, set expectations for a determined and passionate performance in 2026.
I’m so thankful , it’s been a long journey and much awaited opportunity. So thankful to each person along the way that helped make this possible. Never give up on your dreams. Can’t wait to battle with this @JRMotorsports 9 team. ❤️ https://t.co/aNQi2UfDnp
— Lee Pulliam (@LeePulliam11) February 24, 2026
