Bubba Pollard ready to invade New England for Oxford 250

Bubba Pollard really loves the Oxford 250.

Of the 50 entries already received to run the iconic PASS race at Oxford Plains Speedway, most are from the greater New England area, but it’s no surprise to see the Super Late Model great from Senoia, Georgia represented more often than not these days.

He’s looking for his second win in what has become an annual pilgrimage since 2018. 

“It’s one of those historic races that ever since the first year we’ve been a part of it,” Pollard told Short Track Scene on Wednesday. “It’s a race I want to be a part of each and every year. It’s historic. It’s probably one of the biggest races of the year up in the northeast there. It’s really just as big as the Snowball Derby. I want to be a part of this race. I respect all the racers up there. The fans are awesome. Just one of the races that I call one of the best, it’s unique with the way the format is, the pit stops. It’s just something you want to be a part of.”

The atmosphere during Oxford 250 Weekend is unlike other big race weekend Pollard has been a part of, enjoying everything Oxford Plains has to offer.

“It’s just a fun weekend,” Pollard said. “A lot of my help comes up. The area is nice, it’s laid back. It reminds me a lot of home and the fans are awesome. The way they do the format, with the draw and the heat races, it’s just something we’re not used to. It’s  the excitement and the energy. The energy there is awesome. The fans that show up on Sunday for that event are amazing. Man, just the whole weekend, just if there’s anyone that’s not experienced it, I hope they can come check it out and be a part of it.”

Over the last couple of years at Oxford, Pollard has been in contention at the end of races, finishing fourth a year ago, and then finishing second in 2024. Pollard is looking to win a second 250 and feels things are rolling his way.

“The first year we went up there, we had a good car and just good racing,” Pollard said. “We learned a lot. We definitely want to get a second win up there. We want to make sure the first one was for real. We’ve been awfully close. We’ve run second to Jeff Taylor in 2024. We’ve been running well the last couple of years. It’s a unique experience for not only me, but also for my crew that helps me out and everyone involved. I think our program is going in the right direction now and we have momentum on our side at the right time. We made changes to our racing program that has been pretty good the last couple of months. I am just very excited to get up there and be a part of it.” 

The veteran driver has competed against the best of the best in short track racing. Pollard knows when he comes to Maine, he’s in for a fight against New England’s best.

“I keep up with a lot of the racing up that way and there’s a lot of veterans. I have a lot of respect for the guys. I feel like racing in Maine really brings me back to old school racing. It’s guys that work on their race car, they take pride in what they bring to the racetrack each and every week,” Pollard explained. “They got  Mike Rowe, Ben Rowe, Garrett Hall, Derek Griffith, and Joey (Doiron). There’s so many guys up there that do well, each and every week. You see a lot of different winners throughout the year there. You don’t see the same guy winning all the time. That just shows you how tough the place is and how tough it is to conquer.” 

The Oxford 250 has been known to attract southern short track stars or NASCAR drivers, like 2011 Oxford 250 winner, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Daniel Hemric, and many more. Joining Pollard from down south is Caden Kvapil and Casey Roderick. Pollard is glad southern drivers make the trip, and thinks more should join.

“I think if these guys would experience it at least one time, they would definitely be there each year,” Pollard said. “It teaches you a lot. It brings you back to what racing is all about for me. With how I was brought up and working hard, with good old school racing, and that’s what it’s all about. I have a lot of respect for the guys, and if a lot of these southern guys would come up there, they’d see what it was all about and see how big it is and how special the fans are and how it is. It’s not just a race, it is an event that people look forward to going to each and every year.” 

With Oxford Plains Speedway already a challenging track, the format of how the race is set up adds to the challenge of Oxford 250 weekend.

“The heat races are tough,” he said. “Having a good draw means a lot, but if you have a good race car, you can come through the field and have a good starting spot. The year we won, I think we started around 29th. You can be good in the heat races and have a good race car still not make it through or start way back in the field. Being patient is a key to it and just not overthinking it. The racetrack is going to change. I think that’s something we’ve learned over the last several years going there from the heat race to the 250.

“Just putting yourself in the right position in the heat race and not getting in any damage or setting yourself behind in the consolation races, because then you can set yourself up for a long day. Getting through the heat race and having a good pit stall for the race is important. Especially with the way pit stops are. There’s a lot that goes into the race for sure.”

Even though Oxford Plains is over 1,200 miles away from Senoia, Georgia, no matter the distance, Pollard wants to be a part of Oxford 250 weekend.

“The drive is tough, but there’s really not much that’s too tough,” Pollard said. “It makes it a lot easier when you’re going to a cool event like the Oxford 250. The best part about coming to Oxford is probably the weather. Getting away from this heat down here. We look forward to it and glad we can be a part of it. Hopefully we can be a part of it for years to come.”

The Oxford 250 Weekend kicks off Friday night with the PASS 150 with the Pro All-Star Series, then on Sunday, the Pro All-Star Series will draw for their heats, and set the lineup for the Oxford 250 to be ran later Sunday afternoon/early evening.