Ousted Joe Gibbs Racing driver J.J. Yeley has signed a three-year deal with Hall of Fame Racing to replace Tony Raines in the # 96 Cup car sponsored by DLP beginning in 2008:"I've never had to make a decision this difficult in my life, but I'm confident that Hall of Fame Racing will be competitive week-in and week out and build the future team around me as their driver. The affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the great people in Phoenix was just an added bonus that makes it the perfect fit for me."Good deal for him. He gets to race in Gibbs equipment and have enormous resources at his disposal from a team focused solely on him. Of course, no one's sure exactly how good that Toyota equipment will be, but that's a subject for another post.
As a NASCAR fan who's never seen him compete in any other series, I've always had difficulty comprehending that Yeley once broke a record held by A.J. Foyt. I was reminded again yesterday by the team's press release.
"The second-generation driver from Phoenix reeled off an amazing 24 USAC wins in 2003, breaking the single-season record set by racing legend Foyt, who won 19 races during the 1961 season. Yeley also became the second driver in USAC history to win the "Triple Crown" by capturing the Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown championships in a single season, joining current JGR teammate Tony Stewart as the only other driver to accomplish that feat (1995)."
It's also hard to fathom that in 67 NASCAR Nextel Cup starts, J.J. Yeley has only 11 DNFs. Only? Well ... it is an incredibly high number when you compare Yeley to say, Denny Hamlin, who has just two DNFs in 68 starts or Clint Bowyer who's had just four in 62. But, I still say only because when you consider the frequency with which Yeley spins out--it's still hard to believe he's only failed to finish 11 times.
Random Stat
J.J. Yeley's 16.4 DNF percentage is lower than Kasey Kahne's (26/133, 19.5%).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-05-2007 @ 11:21AM
CJ said...
I find this hilarious. Ive already said before that Yeley is a waste and Gibbs done the right thing by firing this idiot, but i knew he'd find another ride, i knew some struggling team would be desperate enough to take a chance on him. But what i find hilarious is that he has said Gibbs didnt give him the stuff to win races and compete, so goin from directly getting it from Gibbs to a team that gets the hand me downs is a step up from where he was to him? I think he is a damn moron and i hope he falls on his ass! I know he signed a multi year contract, but i'd be suprised if he fulfills it all the way thru. And if he turned down a ride with Evernham or RCR for that ride, for he was rumored to either replace Riggs or to the fourth team at RCR, then he's a dumbass! I dont care if both those cars were outside the top 35, they still would've been more competitive than what he's driving now!
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9-05-2007 @ 11:50AM
Don Emerson said...
To be honest, the jury is still out on Yeley. Granted he hasn't produced so far, but it might not b due to a lack of skill. First of all, going from open wheel racing to Nascar is a tremendous step, no matter who you are. It's like a boxing champ moving up in weight classes. That doesn't always work out for the best, but doesn't make him any less of a fighter. Then too, Yaley may have been his own worst enemy by trying too hard. But who wouldn't in his position. Given a winning ride with a championship team, with his credentials, must have put him under tremendous pressure to produce. Thus the wrecks, spin outs, and DNF's. And lastly, most race car drivers have tremendous egos. It's what got them there in the first place. Perhaps his ego won't permit him to " crawl before he can walk". Time will tell. As for going with his new ride, it was pretty smart of him. Signing with a second tier team will offer him an easy way out, and a ready made scape goat, should things not work out. Then too, should things go sour, he can always blame it on the change to Toyota. If you ask me, it's a win-win situation for him. Works for me....
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9-05-2007 @ 1:22PM
Eileen said...
I for one can't want until he proves all of the nay-sayers wrong.
Pay attention to him on the radio scanner.. Kyle Busch will be in the same place as JJ has been these past two years. That Steve Addington has GOT to go.. if JD used his brain for once, he'd ditch Steve.
I'm not just saying Steve screwed JJ over.. but also did the same thing to Bobby Labonte. Maybe when he screws Kyle Busch, it'll be the three stikes you're out kind of thing.
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9-05-2007 @ 10:49PM
Micha said...
JJ will do just fine in the 96 car. The 18 car has crap for a team and JD and Joe have never invested an ounce of anything in that car. I look forward to seeing JJ have much greater success and he WILL prove it in the 96 car.
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9-06-2007 @ 8:17PM
Pat said...
You got that right. Steve has screwed not only the drivers but the crew members too. We'll see how long this dude lasts with his type (or lack of) communication. I hope JJ blows the socks off of his team to prove a point. I be it won't take too long with Kyle for JGR to figure that out.
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