JRM’s late model program has hired a brand-new talent worthy of the historic name. Lee Pulliam has been hired by the son of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the upcoming major late model event, the Thanksgiving classic. And with them teaming up they should claim victory together!
Why Pulliam deserves a JRM Ride
Lee Pulliam isn’t even the flashiest name in the lowkey scene of late model racing. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented or has accomplished a whole ton on short tracks all across America.
He won the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 a record six times which he did so consecutively to start things off. He’s also the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship which was his 1st year in a national series so not bed for a debut and justifies a JRM ride alone.
He’s also won multiple track championships like at South Boston which named a section of grandstands after him even 2 years after his 2013 title there. And at Motor Mile Speedway with a 16 win season in 2011.
He even finished 2nd in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour series in 2018 winning 2 races and even won a CARS Tour one off in 2019. With his own team though not JRM. On top of winning the 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series champions.
Along with winning the 2015, 2019 Virginia Triple Crown championships, 2011, 2014 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 wina, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Thunder Road 200 wins and a 2015 Hampton Heat 200 win. So with such a impressive resume why didn’t he get hired by JRM earlier? There’s reasons for sure!
Pulliam’s Rivalries and Controversies
It started when Pulliam feuded with JRM darling Josh Berry. At the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown (which he should bring back by the way) Pulliam was battling Timothy Peters for the win in the final set of corners late in the race.But that’s when he was spun by Josh Berry, dropping Pulliam to tenth. Afterwards, Pulliam described Berry as “the biggest joke in racing”. His temper not winning those over in the JRM camp.
But it wouldn’t be the last time Lee would show his temper far from it.In a race at South Boston his territory, Lee Pulliam and Phillip Morris made contact, which spun around Morris resulting in a red flag. Morris’ crew chief tried to climb in Pulliam’s car, but Pulliam accelerated and ejected him from the car.
For the incident, Pulliam was suspended from for two weeks, fined $1,500 and placed on probation until the end of the calendar year. Where in the meantime Pulliam made a one-off return to the CARS Tour and won the Old State Nationals.But ever since these incidents he’s cooled down and even owns a team in the CARS Tour series. Lee Pulliam Performance which even has the No.88 a JRM classic number.
Exceptions for Pulliam and JRM Into the Thanksgiving Classic
The entry list hasn’t been released yet, and entry forms are still open if you want to enter. But you’d be facing a heck of a duo. With JRM being 1 of the biggest racing teams in the US and Pulliam a great late model driver plus this being 1 of the only major races he hasn’t conquered yet. They’ve got everything to lose, thanks a bunch for reading!
