---

Pro Late Model Overhaul: Series Gets New Look, Opens Door for Locals to Take Back Control

By Chuck Corder

In recent years, the Allen Turner Pro Late Model series at Five Flags Speedway was dominated by some of late model’s biggest names.

From Bubba Pollard to Augie Grill to Mike Garvey, some of the south’s stalwarts were waving checkered flags on any given Friday night at Pensacola’s high-banked oval.

While perhaps bringing a little glitz and glamour to the division, the change from a 40-lap feature to a 100 lapper was a stark contrast to the days when local drivers owned the class.

“Those 100-lap races bring guys that are racing every week somewhere,� longtime PLM racer Tommy Rollins said. “For a local guy that doesn’t have the budget or the time, it puts us at a disadvantage. It’s just hard to overcome somebody in the seat every night when you’re racing only five times a year.�

The Modifieds, Sportsmen and Bombers will also join the festivities when the gates open at 5 p.m. this Friday. The pits open at 2 p.m. and admission is as follows: $10, adults; $8, seniors, military and students; $5, children 6-11; and free, under-6.

When the PLMs open their season, Rollins and Five Flags fans will be happy to see new wrinkles to the format that promise to liven things up.

Gone are the 100 lappers. Instead, the feature will be 50 laps of green flag racing split into a 20-lap and a 30-lap event.

The first segment will be a straight-up start, ensuring the fast qualifier will start on the pole, and pay $600 to win.

All cars finishing on the lead lap in race No. 1 will be inverted completely for the final portion. Any cars that are down laps or fail to finish the opening segment will take up the tail end for race No. 2, which pays $900 to the winner.

If a driver sweeps, a cool $1,500 is all theirs.

“You gotta keep it wound up,� another PLM veteran Wayne Niedecken Jr. said. “You better be on it when they drop the green.�

"Junior" Niedecken, a longtime favorite at the famed half-mile asphalt oval, was on it last week at Mobile International Speedway.

After a strong showing in the opening race, Niedecken captured the second half to pull his No. 99 into Victory Lane for the first time in quite awhile much to the delight of the crowd.

“I think a lotta people are excited to see me win again,� said Niedecken, whose father Wayne Sr. owns two Snowball Derby wins, including the inaugural running in 1968. “I hadn’t given up. I didn’t forget how to win or how to drive.

“Technology really has changed in the last seven years. Either you’re on it or you’re off. It took a little while for me to get a good grasp on it.�

Rollins, too, feels the changes to the division will greatly enhance his chances for a return to winning.

He hasn’t been in his PLM seat since finishing fourth at the Snowflake 100 in 2011.

Rollins had intentions of running for a championship last year, but offered up the ride to Nationwide Series driver and hometown she-ro Johanna Long whenever she had an off week from NASCAR responsibilities.

“When she calls you and says, ‘Can I drive your car?’ what are you going to say?� Rollins joked. “How can I disappoint her fans in Pensacola?�

After an impromptu testing session a few weeks ago at Five Flags, Rollins feels like he has never left the seat.

“I was good, for an old guy,� Rollins, 52, quipped. “I don’t know how good it was because the track had so much grip in it from (the resurfacing) in the winter. It’ll be faster for everybody.

“I look for exciting racing. It’s gonna be some sprinting out there. You have to be on top of the wheel every lap.�

Back to News