Yeley Scores Top-Five Finish in Michigan

Race Review

Brooklyn, MI (August 20, 2005) - J.J. Yeley turned in a very impressive performance at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday afternoon. After qualifying was rained out, Yeley was awarded the 15th starting position based on owner's points. He immediately raced his way inside the top 10, eventually led a lap, and scored a fifth-place finish in his Vigoro Ultra Turf Summer Fertilizer/Home Depot Chevrolet.

"I really love racing here at Michigan," said Yeley after the race. "I raced in a truck here last year, and I found that I could run in any groove, but the high line worked really well. I used that to my advantage today and we were able to post a top-five. Jason (Ratcliff) and all of the guys on our Vigoro/Home Depot team continue to do an awesome job. We'll be able to get that first win soon."

In the opening laps of the 125-lap event, Yeley quickly moved into the top 10 and explained that his car was handling flawlessly. "The car is really, really good right there," said Yeley. By Lap 9 Yeley was 10th, and he continued to march forward. He passed his teammate, Denny Hamlin, for ninth on Lap 10, and four laps later he passed Kenny Wallace for eighth.

On Lap 18 Yeley radioed to crew chief Jason Ratcliff, "The car still feels really good, but it's starting to get a tiny bit tight in the center of the corner and on the exit."

"Just keep doing what you're doing," responded Ratcliff. "You're faster than the leader." Yeley did just that and passed Ryan Newman, Reed Sorenson and Martin Truex by Lap 32 to crack the top five. Yeley was two to three tenths of a second faster than anyone on the track. As the teams calculated their fuel mileage to plan for a green-flag stop, the caution flag waved on Lap 37. Yeley came to pit lane in fifth, and the Vigoro/Home Depot crew changed all four tires with an air pressure adjustment, and they filled their Chevrolet full of Sunoco fuel. Yeley left the pits in fifth.

As racing got back underway, Yeley reported that the car was just a bit loose on exit now, but that it still felt good. On Lap 84 Yeley passed Kevin Harvick for fourth, and three laps later many of the lead-lap cars starting to make green-flag pit stops. On Lap 87 Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer pitted, moving Yeley up to second. On Lap 88 Yeley powered around Ryan Newman and took the lead. "OK J.J.," said Ratcliff. "We've got our five points for leading a lap, let's pit next time for four tires." Yeley brought the car to the attention of his Joe Gibbs Racing crew, and they changed tires with another air pressure adjustment and added fuel. Once the green-flag pit stops had cycled around, Yeley was scored in the fourth position.

On Lap 105 Yeley passed Bowyer for third, but a caution flag was displayed on Lap 109, and the leaders were forced to make a tough decision. But once the cars approached pit lane, nearly every one of them elected to pit. The Vigoro/Home Depot team changed all four tires with another air pressure adjustment. Once the race resumed on Lap 113, Yeley was in the fifth position.

Yeley was able to hold on and finish fifth to score his eighth top 10-finish in his last 11 races, and his fifth in his last six events. Yeley moved up one position in the overall driver's standings to 11th, and is now just 35 points shy of 10th.

Yeley will join the rest of the NASCAR Busch Series drivers for their next scheduled race on Friday, August 26th at Bristol Motor Speedway. The event will be televised live on TNT at 7:30 PM EST.