[ClaytonYeley]

http://www.tribstar.com/autoracing/l...yword=topstory
http://www.jjyeley.com/newsdetail/638.aspx
http://jjyeleyfans.proboards.com/ind...ay&thread=2264

Trackside: Action Track fans pick up slumping J.J. Yeley

By Joe Buckles
Special to the Tribune-Star

Moments after the checkered flag had fallen on the Indiana Sprint Week’s feature at the Action Track last Wednesday, track officials opened the pit gates to the fans.

It has been a long standing tradition to allow fans to get an up-close visit with their favorite drivers. It also provides a pretty accurate guage on who’s hot in the sport.

The largest congregation typically centers around the night’s feature winner. But not always. As was the case last week.

As feature winner, Brad Sweet went about critiquing the night with his crew he went virtually unnoticed while several pits down the night’s tenth-place finisher was signing autographs for a steady line of well wishers.

It was much appreciated support for driver J.J. Yeley, one of the track’s all-time feature win leaders and one still highly recognizable for his recent NASCAR racing efforts.

Those who follow the sport know it’s not the best of times for Yeley. Having run the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit full time the past two seasons he is without a ride in 2009.

He’s made a couple runs on NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series but remains on the outside looking in for NASCAR’s premier division.

Always one willing to give his time to the fans and media, Yeley took time to reflect on his current status in racing and what the future might hold.

One might expect to hear a tinge of bitterness in Yeley’s voice as he goes about digressing his current status in racing, especially on the NASCAR side of the ledger.

Some disappointment, yes, but bitterness no. He’s been racing long enough to know the unstable ways of his sport.

While he hopes to get his foot back in the NASCAR inner circles, Yeley has gone back to running sprint cars. He couldn’t pick better place to get back in the open wheel cars than at the Action Track.

“It was just like the old days when I was standing here with a trophy and a line of people. It was fun coming back here tonight,” voiced the eight-time Action Track feature winner.

Yeley would be the first to confess that he wasn’t up to the same form that made him so successful here in the past.

“The sport has changed a lot since I was here last,” conceded Yeley. “This is only my fourth time out in a sprint car this year. It takes a while to get acclimated to the changes. It’s fun to come out and play but at the same time you want to win races.”

Although he had his moments in NASCAR like many open wheel racers before him, Yeley fell into the trap of some poor decision making off the track and he underestimated the difference between the bigger and heavier stockers and the open-wheel machines he had made his name in.

“I’m not bitter with the way things have gone down there [NASCAR]. I put myself in some difficult situations. You have to lean on the guys that have the experience. I did that with Tony [Stewart]. But probably some times not enough with the decisions I made,” reflected Yeley.

“Not being from down there, not knowing the inner workings, it’s easy to get yourself in some bad situations. The people and equipment you surround yourself with reflects into the drivers seat.”

The Arizona transplant downplays any talk that his highly successful reputation in USAC put added pressure on him to make it in NASCAR.

“I was just a race car driver with a different type of race car. Those cars [stocks] handled completely different than I had ever driven before. The learning curve was definitely steeper than I anticipated.Then theres a lot of other things involved than just driving the car.”

Not shy on enthusiasm or talent Yeley has every intention of making the best of a second opportunity when it comes around.

“I’m looking forward for a second chance. Get in some good equipment and show that I belong, that I can compete in the Cup cars,” said Yeley.

“I still have some things in works that are promising. With the way the economy its tough on everybody. I’m a race car driver. You’re not going to find me sitting around watching TV or playing golf. Racing is in my blood. You can bet we will just keep plugging away until we get were we want be.”

• Wings return — With all the support events surrounding this weekend’s Brickyard 400, lets hope local fans don’t forget the winged sprinters of the All Star Circuit of Champions will be at the Action Track on Saturday.

The event is the makeup date for when the All-Stars show scheduled back on July 4 fell victim to rain. Whether your taste be winged, non-wing sprints or stocks, the All-Stars put on a great show.

[berks co]

Thanks to the Yeley for giving a PA guy, steve buckwalter, an opportunity.