---

Pollard, VanderLey Set to Battle it Out for Allen Turner Pro Late Models Title

Chuck Corder

Every superhero needs a nemesis.

And so it is that Bubba Pollard and D.J. VanderLey have found each other in the Five Flags Speedway universe. Who plays what role depends on whose car you root hardest for.

This much cannot be denied: Whenever the dynamic driving duo occupies the same track, their late models seemed destined for comic book fireworks — “VROOOM! BAM! POW!�

Try as Pollard and VanderLey might to downplay a feud, their budding rivalry continues to blossom.

It will be at full bloom come Saturday — yes, Saturday! — at Five Flags when the season closes with the Night Of Champions, highlighted by the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Snowflake Tune Up 100.

“We have always prided ourselves in putting the best car we can out there,� said VanderLey, who trails Pollard by just nine points. “I know (Pollard’s car owner/crew chief) Ronnie (Sanders) and Bubba have a great, great car. We both end up being the class of the field a lot of times.�

The last time they were at Five Flags for the Pro Late Model Azera 100 last month, the elite pair mixed it with the bumper of Pollard’s No. 18 ending up on VanderLey’s No. 2 hood.

Pollard, leading the race late, believes VanderLey, second at the time, spun him intentionally between turn Nos. 3 and 4.

Pollard remained in his car under caution and waited for VanderLey. Once VanderLey made it around the famed half-mile, asphalt oval Pollard shoved his car in reverse and delivered a crunching blow.

That was just the latest in a string of on-track beating and banging fueling hot tempers in the pits. At the Sonata 100 in June, Pollard and VanderLey swapped paint for the lead on several occasions in a race that saw Pollard win, VanderLey finish a disappointing 13th and the pair get into each others' faces on pit row.

“That’s what fans come to see,� Pollard said. “It’s like the NASCAR boys having at it. Fans want to see exciting racing and we try to give them. Everyone has different opinions and fans have their drivers. We always don’t do the right things, but we try to put on a show for fans.�

The retaliation move earned Pollard a black flag and cost him some valuable points heading into Saturday.

His slim lead over VanderLey means the Allen Turner Pro Late Model title is up for grabs.

There are also close battles to keep an eye on in the Modifieds and Bombers while Brannon Fowler takes a victory lap to sew up his first Sportsmen crown.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Saturday and admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 1 p.m. with passes costing $25.

“We’ve been strong all season long and just need some luck to fall our way,� VanderLey said. “We’re just right on the verge of our first big win.�

VanderLey is the defending track champion, but has yet to win a race this season after crushing the field a year ago.

Pollard has been an indomitable force in 2011, winning 17 late model races and already wrapping up championships in three separate series.

“The biggest thing that has helped me in those 17 races or having as good of a year as we’ve had is that we’ve been at the racetrack the whole year,� Pollard said. “You ever have enough experience. The more you can race, the better you are.�

Pollard counts the Gulf Coast Sunoco crown — a series that combines Super Late Model races at both Five Flags and Mobile International Speedway — among his current hat trick.

More often than not this year, VanderLey has played second fiddle to Pollard, 24. The 19-year-old Auburn honors college sophomore can take solace in knowing he hasn’t been the only one.

The Senoia, Ga., hotshoe has racked up an eye-popping resume in 2011 alone. In addition to all the wins, Pollard sports 28 top-fives and 30 top-10s in 39 starts this year.

He remains just three wins shy of an unthinkable preseason goal of 20.

“I know some thought that was unrealistic,� Pollard said, “but I felt like we had capable and good enough cars. I’m happy with where we are so far this season but we can definitely reach that goal.�

He has won five of his last six starts, most recently the Lee Fields Memorial 150 — a Pro Late Model race held at Mobile International Speedway last Saturday.

Who finished runner-up Saturday? You guessed it, VanderLey.

He hopes to exact some revenge and more importantly get win No. 1 on Saturday night.

“It would be huge,� VanderLey said. “If we can win and (Pollard) has any troubles at all, it could sew up the championship for us.�

And leave his archrival plotting his next move.

 

Back to News