Pollard/Sanders Dream Team Split Focus on 2012 Efforts
SLM Efforts Moving to Pollard’s Home Shop Nothing More than a Location Change
By Elgin Traylor - Twitter: @elgintraylor
When Bubba Pollard and Ronnie Sanders first shook hands on working together, nether had any idea how far their success would take them. Pollard was an up-and-coming Late Model driver who ran cars out of his family shop in Senoia, Georgia at the time. Sanders had just pulled the plug on his historic 500-win career and was not ready to ride off into the Late Model racing sunset just yet.
The two teamed up for the first time in 2009. They went to South Alabama Speedway and won the Viper Series race their first night as a team, birthing the Late Model “Dream Team.” It started as a Pro Late Model deal and then shortly after the Super Late Models, which had been housed at Pollard’s personal shop, were moved to the Sanders’ so both cars could be in the same place.
Sanders continued to focus on the Pro Late Models and Pollard worked on the Super Late Models at night, for the team that went on to win more than 30 races in the past three seasons.
This year things will be different.
Instead of both the Super Late Models and Pro Late Models being run out of the Sanders shop in Fayetteville, Georgia, the Super Late Model effort will return home to Senoia for Pollard to work on cars in preparation for more travel in the Super Late Model world.
"It’s not really a change all that much," said Pollard. "It’s pretty much the same game plan as last year. We worked the deal out that Mr. Ronnie did the Pro side of things and I did the Super side of things. The Super car and everything was mine, but we just have so much going on this year with things changing and opportunities that are going on that help me pursue my goals in racing. There’s some changes going on that will hopefully work out for us."
Pollard is always looking for the next opportunity and plans to beef up his 2012 schedule with trips to more ARCA/CRA Super Series events, including the big shows at Lucas Oil Raceway Park (IN) and the Winchester 400 in October.
"I was committed to Ronnie when he wanted to race,” added Pollard. "This year I’ll be able to go and venture out and race up north at places like the Winchester 400. There are a lot of CRA North races that we’re looking forward to running in 2012. We also are venturing out to possibly go down to New Smyrna to race some. So just look for a #26 machine to be in different states this year, that’s our goal for the year."
That will be the easiest way to tell the difference in the split operation in 2012 – the car number. Pollard has gone back to his old number, which he started using after watching Johnny Henderson race a number-26 years ago. Pollard liked the number, so he used on his Late Models. The 26 will be on the Super Late Models, while the Sanders-trademark number-18 will still adorn the Pro Late Models. Many just assumed that when Pollard ran the 18 number in the Super Late Models it was a Sanders car.
"I’m his Pro driver, but he respects what I’m trying to do with my racing career and he understands what I’m trying to do as a driver and moving on," said Pollard. “It's totally up to him whether he wants to go racing some more and have a different driver. There’s no conflict between me and him of whatever he chooses to do."
Sanders said the same thing about the situation, while also indicating that his Grandson Bily may be able to take the seat in the 18 if Pollard is unavailable. Fulson had a few strong runs before becoming one of the more active crew members on the 18 car.
"It’s not a thing between us,” said Sanders of his relationship with Pollard. “We’re still real good friends and he’s racing my Pro car right now. If there is a conflict I might put Billy in it, or I might do something else. But I’m going to try to slow down a little bit.”
Sanders talks about slowing down after having attended 40 races in 2011 between his Pro car or aiding Pollard’s Super Late Model efforts. They did win 19 of those races, but at the age of 66 like Sanders is, the hectic schedule can be a big demand for anyone.
"We did pretty good together, and we’re still together to a point," said a humble Sanders when asked about their 2011 success.
Pollard will look back on 2011 and hope to someday it was a stepping stone to go and run the biggest races in the Super Late Model word. They basically have won everything but the biggest events.
"We still plan on racing the Pro car as much as we can for him as of right now and depending on the schedule," said Pollard. "We’re not sure what we’re going to run and what’s going to happen. We’ve got some new opportunities for us for 2012 and hopefully everything works out and hopefully we’ll have a schedule out in the next couple of weeks."
Bubba Pollard has moved the Super Late Model operation back to his home shop.
Ronnie Sanders (right) might have Billy Fulson (left) run a race or two if Pollard is not available.
Bubba and Ronnie went to victory lane 19 times in 2011.
