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Well-known NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley was injured Saturday night in the Tompkins Sprint Bandits TNT Ron Shuman Classic event at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
Yeley reportedly fractured the C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae in his neck. Doctors do not believe that surgery is required, but it may mean a temporary hiatus from racing for the injuries to heal. The Phoenix native is recovering at his home in North Carolina.
The 32-year-old driver was competing in a non-winged sprint car event on the 3/8-mile clay oval. Before entering NASCAR competition, Yeley was an accomplished open-wheel competitor, and even had success at Lakeside Speedway in USAC Sprint competition.
In spite of his open-wheel endeavors, Yeley is probably best-known from his stint as a NASCAR Nextel Cup competitor. His most famous ride: the Joe Gibbs Racing #18 Interstate Batteries car that is now piloted by the controversial Kyle Busch. He later joined the #96 Hall of Fame Racing team and replaced Tony Raines as the driver.
Yeley holds the distinction as the youngest driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. He also won the prestigious “Triple Crown”, winning the USAC Midget, Sprint and Silver Car championships in the same year.
In 2009, Yeley has competed in various midget and sprint car events, as well as a limited NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule driving the #81 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge.
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