Pollard ‘intimidates’ Frederickson into late mistake during World Series Race 2

In the backdrop of Daytona Speedweeks, Super Late Model racing’s equivalent of ‘The Intimidator’ proved his mettle.

Bubba Pollard, driving for four-time World Series of Asphalt champion David Rogers , earned his first-ever Speedweeks victory on Monday night in iconic fashion. He took the lead from Dan Frederickson with six laps remaining and added to both his resume and his mystique.

Pollard started from the pole, but trailed the midwestern veteran Frederickson during the second half, but steadily gained on him with 10 laps to go.

The winningest Super Late Model driver of the past decade stayed right on the rear bumper of the Frederickson No. 36 until he made a mistake in Turns 3 and 4 — driving too deep into the corner and washing up into the Turn 4 wall.

Pollard didn’t even have to work under him, or use the bumper, instead forcing Frederickson to beat himself.

“I was faster and starting to put some pressure on him,” Pollard said. “I changed my line with 20 to go or something and just started to reel him in. He messed up a couple of times and we were able to take advantage.

“I probably was going to have to move him out of the way a little bit if that hadn’t happened. It was going to be hard to pass with these conditions.”

Frederick was emotional and somber after the race, takin 15 minutes to get out of his No. 36 Super Late Model. It took him another 10 minutes to return to his car.

It was a particularly frustrating moment for Frederickson because, in his own words, he screwed up.

“I just got greedy on my entry, trying to get out and get a big, wide entry,” Fredrickson said. “I got up in the marbles getting into 3, and that was the end of it. It was a mistake. I felt like Bubba was catching me there and rolling through the center a little better than me. I knew I had to do something. I was getting all I could get, and a little more than I could get, I guess.”

The impact with the wall impaired Frederickson’s car and he fell all the way back to eighth.

Meanwhile, for Pollard, the victory was special for multiple reasons. It represented his first during Florida Speedweeks, and his first driving for Rodgers, who asked him to pilot the No. 11. while he recovered from a minor surgical procedure.

“This is cool,” Pollard said. “It means a lot to bring this 11 car back to Victory Lane. He’s got some good people and I brought some of my guys here too. We worked on it on Friday. He’s got a good car, I just had to get my brake points in.

“I drive different than David, just like I drive different than the other guys. He’s got a good car and he’s had a good sponsor for a long time in TM Ranch. This is pretty incredible to go this during Speeweeks. I just wish he could be here too.”

READ MORE: Complete World Series of Asphalt coverage

Pollard started the race from the pole, after drawing a zero on the invert, but immediately lost the lead to Frederickson, whom led the next 29 laps. However, Pollard would stay in the No. 36’s tracks and both cars pulled away from the field on long green flag runs.

Once Frederickson hit the wall, Pollard was left unchallenged.

Brad May finished second, while Gabe Sommers, Colin Garrett and Sam Mayer completed the top-five.

Championship Update:

1. Brad May Ldr.
2. Colin Garrett -10
3. Derek Kraus -8
4. Anthony Sergi -14
5. Bubba Pollard -14
6. Gabe Sommers -14
7. Sam Mayer -14

Here are the complete results from the second race of the Super Late Model World Series of Asphalt.

1. Bubba Pollard
2. Brad May
3. Gabe Sommers
4. Colin Garrett
5. Sam Mayer
6. Derek Kraus
7. Logan Seavey
8. Dan Fredrickson
9. Anthony Sergi
10. Harold Crooms
11. Derek Griffith
12. Travis Braden
13. Spencer Davis
14. Carson Kvapil
15. Nolan Pope
16. Alex Labbe
17. Brent Strelka
18. Clay Greenfield
19. Jeff Holmgren, Jr.
20. Steve Weaver, Jr.
21. Christian Rose
22. Chuck Tuck
23. Patrick Thomas
24. Logan Seavey
25. Gus Dean
26. Ryan Moore
27. Jett Noland
28. Jared Irvan

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