In a noteworthy development from the Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR news scene, JR Motorsports has selected Lee Pulliam, a decorated Late Model competitor, to make his NASCAR debut at Martinsville Speedway on March 28. This appointment sets the stage for Pulliam, a well-respected local racing figure, to finally enter the NASCAR ranks, highlighting a new chapter in both his and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s careers.
Lee Pulliam’s Climb from Grassroots Racing to the NASCAR Spotlight
The decision by Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports to put Pulliam behind the wheel of the No. 9 Folsom Fence Supply Chevy brings a seasoned Late Model stock car driver to a national audience. Pulliam, who has claimed victory in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 twice at Martinsville, is no stranger to the track, having also secured four victories in the NASCAR Local Racing Series championship—in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Moreover, he has twice earned the coveted Virginia Triple Crown, reinforcing his status as a prolific competitor at the regional level.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. used his Dale Jr. Download podcast to spotlight Pulliam’s long and successful racing journey and to announce the breakthrough opportunity. Pulliam’s ongoing relationship with Earnhardt Jr. and their shared history competing side by side in the CARS Tour made the Martinsville selection particularly significant for both men.
“Done a lot of great things at the grassroots or regional level in late model stocks,”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said of Pulliam.
“He’s that guy like, you know, that did enough but never got looked at. He never got the call. We have remained friends with him through the cars tour, we often pit side-by-side.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Pulliam had previously stepped away from driving, focusing instead on car ownership and fostering new talent like Butterbean, after promising his ill father to make one more competitive appearance at Martinsville.
“Lee quit driving,” Dale Jr. continued. “Lee gave up driving to own his car and put drivers in it, like Butterbean and so forth. His father was ill, and he promised his dad he would give it another shot at Martinsville, go try to run 300 and win it again.“ — Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Anticipation Builds for Pulliam’s Martinsville NASCAR Debut
Pulliam’s highly anticipated first NASCAR race is scheduled for March 28, as he competes in the NFPA 250, a 250-lap event at Martinsville Speedway. The race will air live on The CW beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET, complemented by radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, ensuring fans and supporters can follow every lap of Pulliam’s debut. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s move to grant Pulliam this opportunity is seen as a recognition of talent that has long thrived at the grassroots level but lacked major league exposure until now.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Perspective on Atlanta and Racing Culture
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time NASCAR O’Reilly Series champion, has openly expressed his admiration for racing at EchoPark Speedway, previously Atlanta Motor Speedway. He believes that fan engagement at the Atlanta track is unique and that its environment makes weekly race tickets especially appealing to spectators, despite broader market challenges.
The recent Autotrader 400 held at the Georgia facility saw 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick claim his second consecutive victory of the season and the 10th overall in his NASCAR Cup Series career. Dale Earnhardt Jr., reflecting on his observations of current racing standards, remarked on the tireless efforts of drivers throughout the field.
“The Cup (Series) guys. I know they’re driving their a** off. You know, set Daytona aside with the fuel saving. I know everywhere else they’re driving their a** off. But at Atlanta, I see it. Atlanta. As a fan. I’m watching. I see it. I see them busting their a** and working their a** hard. The big lifts. Fun to watch.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. has stepped back from full-time competition since 2017, he continues to participate in select races with JR Motorsports. Last season, however, his commitments with Amazon Prime and TNT kept him out of all NASCAR-sanctioned events.
What This Means for NASCAR and Regional Racing Talents
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s choice to give Lee Pulliam a chance at Martinsville reflects a growing trend among NASCAR leaders to seek out established local and regional talents for national competition. Pulliam’s debut underscores the importance of the grassroots pipeline in feeding new stars into the NASCAR framework, potentially inspiring further collaboration between local circuits and top-tier teams. The move also reignites discussions about expanding opportunities for standout drivers who, despite their impressive histories, have not traditionally received the “call-up” to NASCAR’s premier stages. All eyes will be on Pulliam and JR Motorsports as the NFPA 250 approaches, with fans eager to see whether this long-awaited debut marks the start of a new era for local racing hopefuls and NASCAR alike.
