Getting to know John Bolen

Name: John Bolen

Birth: 1/29/86

Hometown: Jasper, AL

Hobbies: Racing, Hanging Out at the Lake, Golf, Football

John Bolen is one of the best Young Guns in Late Model racing today.  Since the age of eight Bolen has found himself behind the wheel of a race car.  Cutting his teeth on the short tracks of Alabama near his home in Jasper, Bolen quickly moved up the racing ranks from Go-Karts to Bandoleros.  Running both the Summer Shootout at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (NC) and Thursday Thunder at Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA) John quickly found success by winning the Bandolero Young Guns championship at Atlanta in 2002. 

In 2003 and 2004 John began his Late Model career in the Southern All Star Series.  Running in the Pro Late Model class, John quickly learned the ropes of a touring schedule with events at Huntsville Speedway, Birmingham International Speedway, Montgomery Motor Speedway, and many other tracks around the southeast.  Both years resulted in top five finishes in the season ending point standings.

In 2005 John tested the waters in the Super Late Model world as he ran for points at Montgomery Motor Speedway in Alabama.  The learning experience was valuable as John took a lot of information away from the season.  He was able  to finish in the top ten in points after a challenging yet impressive rookie season.

John then spent the next two years away from the sport, but he couldn't’ help but get hooked by the lure of Late Model racing once again and now he is back.

2008 was a year to remember.  Bolen went to victory lane twice, both times at the Birmingham International Raceway (A track that was torn down this past Winter).  He finished seventh in ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour points.  The season was a great rebuilding year as Bolen ran 25 races in five different states.

John broke the record books in 2009 with 24 starts, 20 top 10 runs and 13 in the top five.  John picked up a win at Montgomery and finished second at the Snowflake 100 and fifth at the Snowball Derby.

2010 would have been a break out year, but funding kept John close to home where he won the Show Me The Money Pro Late Model Series Title at Montgomery Motor Speedway (AL). Bolen also finished in the top 10 at both the Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby for the second-straight year. 

There is not doubt that John Bolen will be a name you will hear often in the Late Model ranks, for now and the years to come.