Yeley confirmed he is leaving Gibbs Racing
Quote selected text Published August 11th, 2007 in NASCAR News
J.J. Yeley confirmed Friday at Watkins Glen International that he would not return to Joe Gibbs Racing next season, perhaps clearing the way for Kyle Busch to drive the team’s No. 18 Chevrolet in 2008.
“I’m leaving Joe Gibbs Racing,” Yeley told reporters Friday. “I have a lot of good opportunities in store for me. I don’t have a date set on when I’m going to announce what I’m doing, but I am talking to several different teams. I can assure you that all the teams I’m talking to are all top-quality teams that want to make me a championship-caliber driver. They want to put an effort behind me that we can go win races. That’s what I’m excited about.”
Yeley also confirmed he has spoken with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc., among others, but “nothing is signed.”
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I’ve always thought that Yeley was a top notch driver, but that the 18 car program has been lacking for years. Labonte was not doing so hot for his last couple years in that car and they never elevated it after they put Yeley behind the wheel. I’m sure that if he goes to one of the teams he has talked to and they give him proper support, he will excel. It’ll be interesting to see if Gibbs makes changes to the 18 now that Busch will be driving.
These are times when you want to see different drivers jump into cars. I’d like to see Tony or Denny drive the 18 for a race and see if it really is the equipment, or if it is the driver. If it’s the equipment, you have to ask how come Gibbs can get 2 cars running good, and one not so good. Is is the people? Do Denny and Tony’s people just believe in them more so they work harder? Or is Yeley just really a middle of the pack stock car driver in terms of talent? That’s a possibility.
I think JJ is a good driver but I think it would have been better for him torun Busch races for a few more years befor getting in to cup, some young drivers just need a little more time than others
yea but roush shooda done that wit david ragan. and people talk about kyle busch tearin up equipment. i think jj is a decent driver. more of the conservative type i think tho. maybe he jus needs somone who can get him to give it his all all the time.
I am glad yeley is going to another team. I don’t think Gibbs gave
yeley the same attetion tha he gave hamlin and stewart. I think
yeley has the potential to win races if he is given a chance.
It seems that all the 3 or 4 car teams have a car that just doesn’t run as good as the others. Part of it is Equipment, part is Personal amd part is driver/ driver crew compatibility.
The chemistry just wasnt right but Bobby didnt do any better there so there has to be a problem with the team itself