AVONDALE, Arizona (February 26, 2011) – Two-time USAC Midget winner at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway (PIR) J.J. Yeley successfully qualified for tomorrow’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 at the one-mile oval.
After practicing the No. 46 AAMCO Transmissions / Ohsweken Speedway Chevrolet Impala 34th and 38th respectively in the two practice sessions, Yeley in qualifying mounted his fastest lap on his second attempt after wheeling his Whitney Motorsports automobile around the race track in 26.850 seconds at 134.04 miles per hour, good enough for 38th on the starting grid.
“I have to thank all the guys on the Whitney Motorsports team for their efforts and the folks at AAMCO Transmissions and Ohsweken Speedway for sticking with us,” said the 34-year old Yeley. “The car is pretty solid. Tomorrow is a relatively short race, so we’ll look to move this No. 46 Chevrolet Impala through the field and deliver a finish that will propel us to Las Vegas next weekend.”
Yeley, a native of Phoenix, Arizona continued, “the fan support has been awesome this weekend. I’m really blessed to have such a great following here in my backyard and everywhere we go. Their cheers make me realize just how lucky I am to be able to do this.”
The former USAC Silver Crown champion will make his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career start at PIR. In his previous six outings, Yeley qualified a series track best of fourth in 2007 (fall) and also finished a respectable 14th in the same event.
Yeley, who also participated in an IZOD IndyCar Series event at PIR in 1998, will join the other 42 drivers in the field when the Subway Fresh Fit 500 receives the green flag shortly after 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The event will be televised live on FOX with additional coverage through the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius / XM Satellite Radio channel 128.
Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway Additional Pre-Race Quotes: J.J. Yeley, driver of the No. 46 AAMCO Transmissions / Ohsweken Speedway Chevrolet Impala:
On Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway: “Phoenix is obviously a special place for me because it’s my hometown track. We’re going there this weekend looking for a little redemption after the disappointing finish at Daytona. We’re glad to have AAMCO Transmissions back on-board and hope to give them what they deserved in Daytona on Sunday at Phoenix.”
On His Fondest Phoenix International Raceway Moment: “I remember going to the Copper World races at PIR when I was seven or eight years old with buddies who I raced go-carts with. Playing in the infield, which was still desert-like with cactuses, sand, etc. We did a lot of bike riding and made race tracks out of the sand. It just makes Phoenix feel more like home.”
On His Fondest Personal Phoenix Moment: “I ran the IZOD IndyCar Series race at PIR in 1998 and I had to do a media event at a local restaurant. It was there, I met my future wife, Kristen. It’s a place I’ll never, ever forget.”
Fast Links:
Driver / Team: J.J. Yeley on the web: JJYeley.com
Twitter: @JJYeley1
Facebook: Official http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/JJ-Yeley-Official/188904204467053> J.J. Yeley Facebook page “JJ Yeley Official”
