While we don’t know exactly what Rick Ware Racing has going on for NASCAR in 2024, we know that JJ Yeley is not going to be part of it. Yeley was a part-timer for RWR last season. Now, he’s hoping to focus his efforts on a more competitive Xfinity Series team.
While in Tulsa for the Chili Bowl Nationals, JJ Yeley told Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut about his 2024 plans. Nothing too specific. But we won’t see Yeley in the Cup Series. Instead of riding for Rick Ware, Yeley will take his talents to the Xfinity Series.
The 47-year-old just has different priorities at this point in his career.
“I don’t have to be a Cup Series driver to make myself feel good or accomplished or anything,” Yeley said to Weaver. “I just want to go to the race track, compete and feel competitive and get the most out of whatever the equipment is.
“If that’s a solid top-10, I want to be in that position. To be more competitive has a price tag. I want to be in that position more but you have to have the resources and money and it’s very tough because there is so much money being spent in money sports right now.”
JJ Yeley was able to earn a top-10 finish for Rick Ware Racing at the second Atlanta race this season. It was his first top-10 in the Cup Series since 2013. He had four other top-20 finishes to go along with that in 26 races.
JJ Yeley could be competitive in Xfinity Series
I don’t think that we are going to see JJ Yeley in great equipment in the Xfinity Series. However, I think we could see him find some form of success in the series. In 2022, Yeley ran almost a complete schedule with MBM Motorsports.
During that season, he was able to earn multiple top-10 finishes and was 24th in points on the season. If that kind of racing is attractive to Yeley, I have no doubt in my mind he could help a team perform above their weight class, so to speak.
As a journeyman in NASCAR, Yeley is almost the last of his kind. He’s worked hard and given up a lot to be a race car driver. After one of the most successful, record-breaking careers in USAC ever, Yeley changed things up by going to stock cars.
Even if his success was never at the same level, JJ Yeley has made a name for himself. Now, he wants to be competitive again. That means dropping down to Xfinity, finding a tea that needs a driver like him, and making the most of his opportunity.
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