Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Picks Late Model Legend to Make NASCAR Debut at Martinsville

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 11:14 AM ET

In a little more than a month, Lee Pulliam will be making his NASCAR national series debut in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Martinsville. He's going to drive the No. 9 car for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

At 37 years old, Lee Pulliam is one of the most accomplished late model racers in the country. He owns his own team, Lee Pulliam Performance. It wasn't long ago that ARCA champion and current Ram Trucks driver, Butterbean Queen, was in his cars.

Pulliam is a four-time, NASCAR Weekly Series champion, he's won two Virginia Triple Cowns, two Martinsville 300 wins, six times a Thunder Road winner, and just about everything else in between. While Pulliam made some K&N Series starts back in the day, he never made it to the national level. That changes in a month.

NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers race at Martinsville Speedway.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

"I'm so thankful, it's been a long journey and much awaited opportunity," Pulliam said on social media. "So thankful to each person along the way that helped make this possible. Never give up on your dreams. Can't wait to battle with this [JR Motorsports] team."

Lee Pulliam is a driver who should have been in NASCAR a long time ago. There is no one quite like Pulliam, with his 175 wins in late model competition, but there are many talents that get overlooked due to the funding aspect of the sport. Thankfully, Pulliam is getting a shot now, and it's in top equipment.

At Martinsville, Pulliam might be better prepared than many other drivers in the field. He knows that track. He's won on that track. Then again, we've seen how crazy the O'Reilly Series gets at the Paperclip. He'll have to survive the race if he wants to think about a great finish.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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