Aug 14, 2011 - A Night for Bubbas, Days and a Huge Breakthrough
Chuck Corder
Not even a full moon rattles Bubba Pollard.
On a strange night that saw plenty of craziness with big names struggling, Pollard remained the one constant Saturday just as he has been all year long.
He has now swept all four Miller Lite Super Late Model 100s at Mobile International Speedway, a Rick Crawford Performance Track, and matched his win total from last season with 12.
“We’ve got a lotta racing left,” Pollard said. “We’ll keep trying and see if we can’t get No. 13 here soon. Hopefully, the rest of the season plays out the way it has been going so far.”
His night of success was perhaps one of the exceptions Saturday.
Mike Garvey had a great car and led the race early on, but had major transmission troubles on the one and only restart following a caution with 51 laps completed. Still, Garvey, missing a gear, somehow managed to finish runner-up to Pollard.
“I didn’t have first gear,” Garvey said. “I could hear it rattle. I was lucky enough to get back to second. It’s a shame because I had a car to race. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. That’s the way it goes.”
Garvey’s problems ended up being nightmares for both D.J. VanderLey and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie Chase Elliott.
When Garvey, leading the restart, missed his shift, VanderLey was on his outside trying to get around him between turn Nos. 1 and 2.
Garvey tried to hold the position despite the transmission issues and forced VanderLey to check up with Elliott behind him. Elliott never had a chance, plowing into VanderLey and causing a long delay for liquid on the back stretch.
Elliott’s night was done finishing a distant 15th. VanderLey managed to recover and boast a ninth-place finish.
The other major head scratcher was Augie Grill. A night after losing to Elliott down the stretch at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, his No. 112 just never was right.
Grill contending early on, but pitted several times throughout the 100 lapper and finished an uncharacteristic 11th. Donnie Wilson, another perennial contender in the Miller Lite Super Late Model 100s, finished dead last in 16th.
Others, though, wouldn’t let the night’s wackiness effect them and rebounded from inauspicious beginnings. Johanna Long, who was mired on the cusp of the top 10 early in the race, got just what she needed in a pit stop and the NASCAR trucks series rookie finished fifth.
Jeff Fultz and ARCA regular Grant Enfinger were steady all night in the top five and were rewarded with third- and fourth-place finishes, respectively.
But it was Pollard who stood out. He reclaimed the lead from Garvey on that one restart and gradually began putting distance between he and the field.
“I knew with 15 good cars, we had to get the position early,” Pollard said. “I figured we weren’t going to get many cautions.”
He was right. Pollard had the fast time in qualifying with a scorching 16.880-second time and remained on the pole after correctly choosing the Red Bull can with the “1” on the bottom.
Garvey drew “2” and it appeared the pair would have a strong battle until the NASCAR trucks driver had his problems.
“I would’ve liked to race Mike,” Pollard said. “I really did want to race him, but I know it’s tough out here. You never know.”
Especially when there’s a full moon out.
Miller Lite Super Late Models 100 � 1. Bubba Pollard, 50.00; 2. Mike Garvey, 47.00; 3. Jeff Fultz, 44.00; 4. Grant Enfinger, 41.00; 5. Johanna Long, 38.00; 6. Kenzie Ruston, 35.00; 7. Dale Little, 32.00; 8. Steven Davis, 29.00; 9. D.J. VanderLey, 26.00; 10. Josh Bragg, 23.00; 11. Augie Grill, 20.00; 12. Allen Karnes, 20.00; 13. Thomas Praytor, 20.00; 14. Jessie Reid, 20.00; 15. Chase Elliott, 20.00; 16. Donnie Wilson, 20.00
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