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"MR. LUCKY" YELEY WIRE-TO-WIRE AT JOLIET
Friday, 13 July 2007 --- Call J.J. Yeley "Mr. Lucky" after his Friday victory in the "USG Fiberock 100" at Chicagoland Speedway. Tony Stewart's Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR teammate, Yeley led all 67 laps of the 100-mile race in A.J. Foyt's Greer Special C & R/Chevy. It was his 13th career series win following his 13th career series pole and occurred on Friday the 13th!
Yeley, of Phoenix, Ariz., was never seriously challenged during the race which was interrupted by only two cautions for just 10 laps. On both restarts he was able to resume command of the race.
"It felt good to get the win for the tea," said Yeley after the race. "I haven't won for so long I kinda forgot what it was like. I felt bad after the Darlington (S.C.) race in May where we had such a good car and had a tire go down. I didn't think they we're gonna ;let me back in the car. I told my wife I was running the Silver Crown race today (Friday the 13th) and she said be careful & only call her if I win. So I still get to talk to my family."
Tim Barber of San Francisco, Calif. scored his best-ever finish as Friday's runner-up, while series point leader Wayne Reutimann Jr. was third, Cameron Dodson was fourth and P.J. Jones was fifth.
The only yellows flew on lap 31 for Paul White, whose car was smoking in turn four and on lap 50 for Aaron Pierce slowing in turn 3.
Yeley's pole speed was 174.842 mph.
The series now gears up for the June 26 "J.D. Byrider 100" at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Ind.
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