Derek Griffith during the ARCA Menards Series Skips Western Outfitters 175 at New Smyrna Speedway on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 in New Smyrna, Fla. (Photo by Matt Stamey)
Derek Griffith will be back in the No. 2 for Chad Bryant Racing at 5 Flags Speedway Saturday. (Matt Stamey/ARCA Racing)

Short Track Stars Heat Up Pensacola Field

ARCA Racing March 11, 2020

A trio of short-track stars will look to make a splash in round 2 of the ARCA Menards East Saturday.

Bubba Pollard, Derek Griffith and Stephen Nasse will all be in the field as 5 Flags Speedway hosts the ARCA Menards East Series with the Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions. While the three have limited exposure in ARCA Racing, they’re well known to short-track fans – and those that follow 5 Flags, in particular.

“I’m really excited about the fact that we are able to go to a place I call home Pensacola,” said Pollard. “We have a chance to win in front of some awesome fans that have supported me over the years.”

Pollard, who will be driving the No. 17 Toyota for DGR Crosley. The 32-year-old Georgia native has had limited success in five ARCA Menards starts over the years, but has had made a living by winning big races on local short tracks. He has posted three top-five finishes 12 starts in 5 Flags’ signature Super Late Model event, the Snowball Derby.

With the support of DGR Crosley, Pollard believes he can win this weekend in his ARCA Menards East debut, noting, “They have great people and equipment in place to be able to compete for wins each and every week.”

RACING-REFERENCE: Bubba Pollard Career Stats

Griffith will be driving the No. 2 Original Gourmet Lollipops/CBR Ford for Chad Bryant Racing, a deal that came together last minute with established crew chief Paul Andrews. After making his ARCA Menards East debut last month at New Smyrna Speedway, where he led 144 of 175 laps from the pole only to finish second to Sam Mayer, he’s just relieved to have the opportunity to race in Pensacola.

“I’m so excited, it’s been a long few weeks chasing some sponsors around,” said Griffith, who announced Wednesday that he and Chad Bryant Racing would extend their relationship to run the full ARCA Menards East season. “Definitely more comfortable going into Pensacola than I was at (New Smyrna). With Chad and Paul behind me, I think we will have a really good piece for the weekend.”

RACING-REFERENCE: Derek Griffith Career Stats| Stephen Nasse Career Stats

In two Snowball Derby starts at 5 Flags, Griffith has a best finish of 12th in 2019. The 23-year-old from Hudson, New Hampshire, won the Super Late Model championship earlier this year at New Smyrna’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

Nasse enters the race coming off a sixth-place finish at New Smyrna for Jett Motorsports. Saturday’s race will be the first time he has competed at 5 Flags Speedway since he was stripped of the win in December’s Snowball Derby in post-race technical inspection.

RELATED: Travis Braden inherits Snowball Derby win following Nasse DQ

“Until the day that I win the Derby again I think I will always have a sour taste in my mouth going back to 5 Flags,” Nasse said. “It’s just one of those deals that’s gonna take a long time to get over that’s for sure.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to drive Pat Jett’s car again, I wasn’t so sure it was going to happen but I’m glad it is and hopefully we can have a shot at the win. If not we’re definitely hoping to get one spot better than last time and be in the top five somewhere.”