been told that Joe Gibbs Racing’s Busch Driver, J.J. Yeley will be named the driver of the #18 Chevy at a press conference in Phoenix.(11-9-2005)
UPDATE: Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that JJ Yeley will drive the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet in 2006. He will continue to run in the Busch Series in 2006 with JGR; the amount of races in the Busch Series will be between 22 to the full season. Attending today’s press conference was JD Gibbs (President), Jimmy Makar (President of Racing Operations) and JJ Yeley (Driver).
JD GIBBS: “We’re excited. We obviously had a great relationship with Bobby Labonte for many years. We like doing things for a long, long time. That worked out. Obviously Bobby made his announcement for, as well as I could imagine, with a hard situation. For us to have JJ sitting here ready to go was obviously a big reason why we were able to make that decision with Bobby. JJ can go forward and win races and challenge for championships. We’re excited about that. Jimmy is the technical one and he’s been to a lot more testing than I have.”
JIMMY MAKAR: “Yeah, I’ll tell you, we’re really excited about JJ. We’ve got a lot going on at JGR right now and from a technical standpoint, it’s been a pleasure to work with JJ and see him and his ability to work with the car and understand the car and converse with the crew chiefs and the guys that work on the car. I think that’s a big plus for him-to be able to understand that and to be able to converse with his crew chief and let’s everybody know what the car needs. His driving talents are excellent and those abilities are something that’s going to make him stand out for others as well. We’re really excited to move forward and long relationship with him. Like JD said, win some races and challenge for a championship.”
JJ YELEY: “I’m very excited to get the opportunity to drive the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet out there. I’ve got some big shoes to fill out there with Bobby Labonte, past champion and a guy that’s won 20 races. I’m just very proud to be a part of JGR. JD and Mr. Makar have given me an opportunity and obviously the equipment is there, Tony leading the points and Denny Hamlin doing very well here lately. So, I’m just very excited for the opportunity they’ve given me and proud that they have the confidence in me. I want to thank a lot of people-Vigaro and Home Depot have been with me in the Busch Series to get me to this point. My parents have obviously sacrificed a lot to get me to this point. There’s a lot of people that have helped me get to this point and hopefully I can go out there for them and make them very proud.”(More at the Joe Gibbs Racing site)(11-12-2005)
