J.J. Yeley Rides Seven Cylinders to Top-ten Finish at Chicagoland

Event: USG Durock 300
Date: July 8, 2006
Start: 10th
Finish: 10th

Race Review

Joliet, IL (July 11, 2006) - The Vigoro / Home Depot race team had very high hopes going to Chicagoland Speedway for the 19th NASCAR Busch Series event on the 2006 schedule. Driver J.J. Yeley had enjoyed quite a bit of success at the 1.5 mile oval in two previous starts, and the team sported a special paint scheme, the Vigoro Premium Mulch with Weed Stop Chevrolet.

In the early going Yeley powered his way inside the top five with relative ease, and just moments before a routine green-flag pit stop on Lap 65, Yeley reported that he thought the engine had lost a cylinder. The crew changed all four tires and added fuel while Yeley switched ignition boxes. But the change was to no avail.

Several caution flags gave the team the opportunity to try all they could to remedy the problem, from checking under the hood to changing the car's battery. But even though Yeley spent the last 135 laps with just seven cylinders firing, he still managed to finish 10th and score his seventh top-ten finish in his last eight races.

"We had an unbelievable race car today," said Yeley. "In one sense, we are very disappointed because we knew we had a car capable of winning this race. But at the same time, we are elated because our car was so good in the corners that we were still able to finish in the top ten without every cylinder. That's incredible."

Yeley remains fifth the overall driver's standings, but he is now just eight points behind fourth place. Next week Yeley and his Vigoro / Home Depot teammates will travel to New Hampshire International Speedway for Saturday's race. The event will be televised live on TNT at 3:00 PM EST.