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Yeley Finishes Ninth at Gateway in his Vigoro Ultra Turf Summer Fertilizer + Insect Control / Home Depot Chevrolet

Madison, IL (August 1, 2005) - J.J. Yeley rallied from his 42nd starting position to finish ninth at Gateway International Raceway in his Vigoro Ultra Turf Summer Fertilizer + Insect Control / Home Depot Chevrolet. Yeley's effort was his sixth top-10 finish in his last eight races. "We had to overcome a poor starting position after we were disallowed to make a qualifying lap, and I'm proud of how our team responded," said Yeley. "I just had to be really patient at the start of the race, and we gradually worked our way up to the front. The car was too tight in the center of the corner throughout the race, so we only managed to finish ninth. I guess it shows how far this team has come to be disappointed with that finish."

Yeley's team was pushing their car through NASCAR's inspection process prior to qualifying when it was discovered that the car's rear camber was not within NASCAR's tolerance. Unable to get the car back in line prior to their qualifying time, the team was disallowed the opportunity to make a qualifying lap. Thus, the team was awarded the 42nd starting position.

Once the race was underway, Yeley methodically powered his Chevrolet through the field. At the night's first caution flag on Lap 16, Yeley was all the way up to 28th. "It's pretty tight in the center and off the corner," explained Yeley.
"All right," said crew chief Jason Ratcliff. "We're going to stay out right here." Yeley stayed on the track and was able to move up to 24th as several cars elected to pit. Racing resumed on Lap 21 and Yeley continued to march forward. He drove up to 18th when the race's second caution flag was displayed, this time for oil on the racing surface. Yeley pitted for fuel and right-side tires only. Yeley left the pits in 15th.

Yeley's tight condition never improved, and he maintained his position inside the top 20 until a caution flag on Lap 93. The team had placed four new Goodyear tires on the car at Lap 63, so this time Ratcliff elected to go for another two-tire stop, this time putting on just left-side tires. Yeley left the pits in fourth place.

While the decision gave Yeley great track position, the car just did not respond. Yeley gradually lost positions over the ensuing laps and took the next caution flag on Lap 135 in 17th. "It still does nothing in the center of the corner but push like a dump truck," said Yeley. The team put four fresh tires on Yeley's machine, including a wedge and trackbar adjustment. Quick work by the crew put Yeley back on the track in 12th.

Yeley battled his way around Tony Raines and Denny Hamlin to break into the top 10, and when David Stremme cut a right-front tire with only 10 laps remaining, Yeley moved up to ninth. He was able to hold on for his third straight top-10 finish. "We struggled with this car all weekend," said Yeley. "We must have bent something in the suspension, and our team will take it apart once we get back home and see what happened. It was a handful for sure, but we'll take that finish and get ready for them at Indianapolis."

Yeley's finish moved him up to 12th in the overall NASCAR Busch Series driver standings. He is only 129 points out of 10th. Yeley will join the rest of the NASCAR Busch Series competitors at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Saturday, August 6th. The race will be televised live on TNT at 8:30 PM EST.