JJ Yeley Shows Strength Before Becoming Victim of Short Track Racing at Bristol

BRISTOL, TN (April 19, 2015) - JJ Yeley and his JGL Racing team had high hopes heading into the "World's Fastest Half Mile" and for more than half of the NASCAR XFINITY Series race it appeared evident why they felt that way.  However, all of that changed late in the race as Yeley was caught up in a short track racing incident which ended his day and relegated him to a very disappointing 33rd place finish in the running of the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

"Well that was a very disappointing race for us but just a product of short track racing at Bristol," said Yeley.  "We were pretty good there for the first half of the race with our No. 28 Toyota.  The car was a little loose in and off the corner but we were able to manage it and maintain our track position.  We got down a lap there, which is easy to do at Bristol, but we hung tough and were able to get the Lucky Dog and back on the lead lap.  We were inside 100 laps to go and just got stuck in some close racing and made contact with another car which ended our day."

The No. 28 team would start the 300 lap event from the 15th position after their qualifying effort.  With top-10 type speed displayed during the two practice sessions Yeley and his team had big thoughts for the short track battle in Bristol.  Once the green flag dropped Yeley showed the promise as he piloted his No. 28 Toyota into the Top-10 within the first half of the race.  The veteran racer maintain his place inside the top-15 until disaster struck on lap 205 which ended the day for Yeley and his JGL Racing team.

"We really had a great car today as Steve Plattenberger (crew chief) and the entire team did a great job," added Yeley.  "We were running solidly there inside the top-15 and I am just not sure what happened.  I got into a lap car and it sent us hard into the wall and ended our strong run.  It is a shame as it ruined our strong showing and destroyed a great race car."

The 33rd place finish dropped Yeley two spots to 16th in the overall NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers' standings - 54 points out of the Top-10.

Up next for JJ and his JGL Racing team is a visit to Richmond International Raceway.  The running of the ToyotaCare 250 will be this Friday April 24th and can be seen LIVE on Fox Sports 1 at 7:30 pm ET.  It can also be heard on Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Channel 90.