J.J. Yeley, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy Impala SS, accomplished his most notable trifecta the year prior to signing with the powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing organization. In 2003, Yeley set a USAC single-season record with 24 wins to break A.J. Foyt’s mark of 19 wins set in 1961. That same year, Yeley handily won the USAC Triple Crown by earning titles in all three USAC divisions – Sprint, Midget and Silver Crown. Only one other driver has accomplished that feat in a single season – Yeley’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Tony Stewart, who did so in 1995 before earning his ride with Gibbs. Not only will Yeley participate in this weekend’s Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, he’ll also compete in Thursday night’s USAC Silver Crown event in the #14 car owned by legendary racer Foyt.(True Speed Communications PR)(5-9-2007)
