Pulliam Finishes Runner-Up for JRM in Late Model Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National

Late Model legend Lee Pulliam made his first start for JR Motorsports on Saturday in the 25^th annual Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park, and earned a runner-up finish in the traditional end-of-season event.

It was not without controversy, however.

Pulliam, a legendary team owner and car builder as well as a four-time national champion and the 2015 winner of the Thanksgiving Classic, started 20^th in the 250-lap race and moved to the front of the field in good order. Working his way toward the top spot, Pulliam battled with former JRM Late Model standout Josh Berry and Doug Barnes for much of the event.

The Late Model legend was battling with Berry with 90 laps remaining and the two came together in Turn One, with Berry coming down from the high side and Pulliam on the bottom, resulting in Berry spinning toward the outside wall.

“I guess they had to make a call,” Pulliam said of the incident with Berry. “It’s just disappointing because I don’t know what I could have done any different.”

Pulliam was sent to the tail of the field for the incident, but battled back to the lead trio at the end, and that’s when it got interesting.

“We had a great race, worked really hard to get back to the front and had a rocket ship,” Pulliam said of his No. 88 Jerky Boys Chevrolet. “It just got too tight once we put tires on and I had to use the nose to get back through the field. I knocked up the nose a little bit and just never quite turned good enough at the second half.”

Over the last stint, Pulliam eased his pace to save tires in the event of a late-race caution which never came. He finished third at the checkered flag.

Doug Barnes Jr. won the race, but in technical inspection following the action, Berry’s team protested Barnes’ victory for illegal parts. In response, Barnes protested Berry’s car, and when the officials completed the inspection, Berry’s car was disqualified.

Pulliam, as the third-place finisher, was elevated to second in the final rundown.

After the race, Pulliam thanked team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt-Miller and L.W. Miller for the opportunity to race at SNMP.

“I was just so thankful to do it,” Pulliam said. “I mean, Dale, Kelley and L.W., everybody for giving me the opportunity. What a dream come true to drive this Jerky Boys Chevrolet. Super proud to be able to represent JR Motorsports and just had such a good time.”

Behind Barnes and Pulliam, Andrew Grady earned third place, with Tyler Matthews and Mason Bailey rounding out the top five.