Depending on the sport, a win can come down to several things. In team sports, it’s often about group chemistry and execution. In individual sports, it’s more about skill and consistency.
But motorsports are a different game altogether. Winning depends just as much on the driver as on the machine they’re driving.
There are instances when a skilled driver is behind the wheel of an exceptional car and is running well. And when everything seems to be going in their favor, a wreck crushes their hopes of excelling in a race.
Something similar happened to Jake Bollman in the latest zMAX CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Jake Bollman’s Car Wreck at North Wilkesboro and His Reaction
With Landen Lewis securing the pole for the Window World 100 and Lanie Bucie in the second spot, Bollman managed to clinch a fourth starting position for the race.
As soon as the green flag was up, Lewis quickly maintained his lead and ran at the front. Bucie tailed him in her No. 3 Chevy, followed by Bollman, who quickly moved up a position.
However, right after the first lap, when the pack was coming off Turn 1, the No. 71 driver tried to drive around Bucie from the outside. The No. 3 driver could not maneuver quickly on the turn and made contact with Bollman.
The contact with Bucie spun the No. 71 car into the outside wall. While Bucie ran into the wall, Bollman’s Chevy took the worst of it. The chaos did not stop there, as more than a handful of other vehicles got caught up in the wreck, with the total number rising to 15.
Although Bollman’s car was running on the track again after some repairs, it was not the same. Owing to the early-race wreck, he finished right above Bucie in the 31st position, while Lewis took home the victory after leading all the laps in the race.
After the race, the driver faced the cameras and vented his frustration. He began speaking about the early crash by saying, “No patience, that’s all I can say.”
Bollman added that although things did not work out in his favor, he had moved on from the incident and was already looking forward to the next thing.
“We had a fast car, so we cannot ask for more in the series. You move on to the next races.”
He mentioned his upcoming ARCA Series race in Colorado and added he was “keeping his head up.”
When Matt Weaver mentioned the opportunity of Bollman having the spotlight on him for the FS1 broadcast, he replied, “That’s everyone’s dream to race on FS1, so I’m very fortunate, and that’s all I can say.”