J.J. Yeley to NASCAR? has test lined up UPDATE: J.J. Yeley, a Phoenix, Ariz., native who could lock up his first Silver Crown points title by finishing seventh or better in the season-ending Little Trees Salt City 100 on Saturday at Syracuse. Yeley, who has driven IRL cars and finished ninth in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, said he is leaning toward trying to follow former USAC stars such as Stewart and Newman into NASCAR racing rather than pursuing an open-wheel series. Yeley said he already has a test lined up in a Busch Series car, one step below Winston Cup. “I think the opportunities are a little easier or better in NASCAR right now,” Yeley said. “I would love to do a Craftsman Trucks race.”(Post Standard)(10-11-2002) UPDATE: Yeley hoped this season’s combined performances might lead to an Indy Racing League ride, and it still might. But with nothing firm on the table, he’s beginning to look toward NASCAR, the current home of past USAC Silver Crown champs Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. “I’ve got a couple of Busch Series tests lined up in December with (ppc Racing), and I’ve been assured that it’s going to happen,” said Yeley, a Phoenix native who moved to the Indianapolis area two years ago. “The doors are finally starting to open for me. Hopefully, I’ll get through one of them.”(Arizona Republic)(10-18-2002)
