JJ Yeley's Homecoming Tarnished by Early Race Contact
Date: March 3, 2013
Event: Subway Fresh Fit 500k (Race 2 of 36)
Track: Phoenix International Raceway
Started/Finished: 27th/28th
Point Standing: 13th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points, 40 behind
leader Jimmie Johnson
JJ Yeley, driver of the No. 36 Accell Construction Chevrolet SS for
Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR), returned to his home track of Phoenix
International Raceway (PIR) and was looking to continue the momentum the
team built on at Daytona.
As soon as the green flag dropped, Yeley battled a loose-handling car.
He and Crew Chief Joe Lax strategized on how to tune up the No. 36 and
were communicating well in just their second race together.
At lap 89, Yeley was unexpectedly hit in the left rear quarter panel by
the No.10 car. No caution was brought out for that incident but laps
later when another caution flew, the Accell Construction pit crew
evaluated the damage on the car.
As the laps wound down, Yeley said the car was the best it's been all
day. Happy with the handling and on the lead lap, with 20 laps to go
Yeley was pushed into the wall by the No. 88. The final caution brought
a green-white-checkered finish and unfortunately Yeley ran out of fuel
on the final lap. Finishing 28th, Yeley leaves Phoenix 13th in the points.
"Racing at Phoenix is always a special time for me - seeing family and
friends, it means a lot to me to be here," Yeley said. "It was a tough
day for the Accell Construction team, we are ready to head to Las Vegas
and keep fighting."
"We wanted to keep the momentum from Daytona going," said Joe Lax, "but
we suffered damage by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The
good news is that we are continuing to make great strides on the No. 36, and we look forward to seeing what we've got for Vegas."