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YELEY RETURNS FOR ANOTHER TRY AT “HUT HUNDRED”

SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 --- In 2003 J.J. Yeley took home an all-time record 24 USAC feature trophies. One that eluded him was the “Hut Hundred” Midget race at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track. On October 4 he’ll return for another try at one of America’s prized victories in the 100-lap race which is scheduled to start 33 cars, three-breast. The race is sponsored by First Financial Bank and presented by Dorsett Mitsubishi.

Yeley, of Phoenix, Ariz., is slated to drive the Triple Crown Racing Hot Hues/Husqvarna Spike/Stanton at Terre Haute after wheeling another car to a sensational victory in last Saturday’s “4-Crown Nationals” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The Eldora win came in his first USAC Midget start since late-2007 and he was piloting Terry Klatt’s Beast/Esslinger Ford.

“Obviously I feel like I can win or I wouldn’t be running,” says Yeley. “We’ve got a brand new version of the Mopar engine for Terre Haute and I’m looking forward to adding that race to my resume. It’s a race with a lot of great tradition and I’d like to win it.”

The 100-lap race is a strategic event and Yeley has some thoughts about how to be competitive at the end. “One of the drawbacks to leading so long like I did in 2003 is that the groove you develop often goes away. Dave (Darland) was working better on the cushion than I was and by the time I switched lanes it was too late. Survival is the key word in a 100-lapper and you need to make sure you have a good handling car at the end. Horsepower is critical but the track can change a lot during the race.”

One of only four USAC Triple Crown Champions (Dave Darland, Tony Stewart and Pancho Carter are the others), Yeley led the first 75 laps of the 2003 “Hut Hundred” after starting on the front row but lost to his teammate, Darland. J.J. had won the “Tony Hulman Classic” Sprint race at Terre Haute four months earlier. J.J.’s last “Hut Hundred” appearance in 2004 resulted in a DNF, 28th place.

J.J. also led 28 laps of the 2002 “Hut Hundred” but finished third behind Mike Hess and Dave Darland. The previous year he was second to Tracy Hines in the “Hut,” which was held that year at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. His first three “Hut Hundred” starts in 1997-98-99 netted no better than a 29th-place finish.

Yeley is one of only a baker’s dozen USAC drivers with 60 career National victories. His Eldora win was his first in nearly a year, having won the Silver Crown race at Kansas City, Kans. in September of 2007.

Nothing would be better than an early birthday present for J.J., who will celebrate his 32nd the day after the Terre Haute race!

RADROBINLB

I was hoping to see him at the Western, it's his home track and the race he's most likely to compete in for other reasons as well. I would like to see him at both though. Last year he ran a late model at the western and that just didn't cut it. He was in a big car at DuQuoin and as you know he won at Eldora in a Midget. I look for him to have good rides in all three divisions for the Copper on dirt. If he does come back full time, I'll be surprised. I think he's going to pick up a ride, maybe a truck but somewhere. He's still a commodity, read This......

COLUMBIA, SC--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 17, 2008 -- Leading motorsports management and marketing firm Racing Aces Marketing L.L.C. has signed racing's "Triple Crown" winner and former Rookie of the Year NASCAR star J.J. Yeley for all areas of personal management, licensing and merchandising, promotions, and personal appearances. The South Carolina-based racing rep organization -- whose clients include top race teams, renowned media personalities and many of racing's highest profile athletes -- brings Yeley aboard as the celebrated NASCAR luminary sets his sights on a fourth season in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. Web site for JJ,......http://www.jjyeley.com/Default.aspx

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

It looks promising for JJ, he's running 2 event's in a sprinter this weekend. Last night at Jacksonville he didn't make the show but neither did Hines or Darrel Clayton. Tonight he runs at Haubstadt, so by the time he gets to the Western and the Nationals he should have some seat time. So you California boys should have the pleasure to run with and you fans enjoy watching 3 very good second generation driver's from AZ at the Nationals. Man I wish I could make it over, I haven't seen a sprint car race in California since Ascot in 73 right before I left the State....for good..LOL

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

Come on over Kenny, your way over due. Jones, Shuman and ?? Is Yeley second generation? Also TK and Bud K. second generation, err third generation that is.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

RADROBINLB

tripcrwn,Kenny is stuck in Az.due to some wants and warrents in Ca.LOL

come on over Kenny we can hide you from the authorities.

ROB

What, you don't know Cactus Jack Yeley?. Seven-time Arizona Midget Racing Association Champ and other stuff ...Shuman, Boat and Yeley, all second generation and with Boat and Shuman they both have brothers who made their mark as well.

I just edited my post, I ment to say 3 from AZ.

The circumstances of how I fled, I mean left California is of no concern to you Rob. The statue of limitations, I mean time changes things and besides, old sufers never die, we just loose our waves and this and that and that and this.

FOUND THIS...

Cactus Jack may be the only midget driver that J.J. Yeley never passed. "He tried it once," says Jack Yeley. "I crashed him. Boy, was my wife ticked."

Even today, Jack Yeley says he's not sure if his wife was more angry because he put his son into the fence, or because J.J. didn't pass his old man. And Judy Yeley won't say.

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

Great post both Kenny and Turn4rob. Forgot about Boat. Never knew about Jack Yeley, only as a car owner but thats why I like your posts Kenny, your the historian. I knew about Billy Shuman and I remember Boat's brother just not his first name. The surf is always up in Socal for old surfers like you Kenny. Come on over - sprint cars and big waves await you and the statue of limitations have run out. Are you the original "Silver Surfer"?

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

63-74.. I used to drink beer while fishing all night long off the end of Huntington beach pier. Now it closes at 11:00 and watch your back after dark. Grunion hunting with a fire and friends down by the cliffs under a full moon. Fishing off the rocks at Crescent bay in Laguna and oh my, the women at that beach, our "lay around" beach. Eating IN & OUT hamburgers and setting up a street race while watching out for guys like Rob who lived in BP and wore blue sock hats that signified they had either been in county jail, wayside, or Chino.. Baldwin Park was pretty rough in those day's, probably rougher now, but it was a good place to go get some smoke while listening to Mexican music..

Nope, when I left March 24th 74 for the Pacific Northwest with $20 in my shoe and my stuff in a bag over my shoulder I never looked back. I missed Ascot and Manzy big time but I had Rebel Jackson, Mike Bliss on his way up and the Sneva's making some wild a** sprinters that USAC let em run a few times. Skagit, Cottage grove, Portland speedway, Spanaway and more, but always yearning for CRA and a big 1/2 mile track... 85 was a good year to come back to A.Z. where I had my Wonder Bread years after leaving Torrance in 56. I was eight and doing my Elvis impressions..LOL I'd be back to Ascot in 63. To my reckoning I hit it pretty dog gone good, no regrets.

Geez, it's a good thing I'm heading to Mexico next week. Look at this crap, do I need a life or what..LOL

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

Just got a Email saying JJ will be driving his Triple Crown Racing #1 Sprint Car at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, on October 4th!