JJ Yeley has been bounced at Hall of Fame Racing. PJ Jones was named earlier this week to drive the #96 DLP Toyota this weekend at Watkins Glen. Wednesday it was anounced that Yeley won't be back, and that 20 year-old, Brad Coleman will take over for the remainder of the season. Coleman has also been a test driver for HOFR this year.
HOFR is a satellite team for JGR. Yeley drove for JGR before moving on to the 96 team this year. Coleman was once a developmental driver for JGR before he moved on to Baker-Curb Racing this year in the NNS. Coleman has just one top-10 this year. Last year, in 15 NNS starts for JGR, he had 5 top-10s.
Last month, after failing to qualify himself, Yeley drove in relief of Tony Stewart at Daytona. Yeley was in the top-10 most of the race, and eventually finished 20th after being caught up in a wreck. In two full years at JGR Yeley had 6 top-10 finishes.
The HOFR #96 is currently outside the top 35 in owner's points. Tony Raines----who is without a ride presently----kept the 96 in the top 35 for the last two years, before getting cut in favor of Yeley.
Coleman, while promising, is no where near ready for Cup racing. One of HOFR's execs, on the advice of a Gibb's exec, is putting him in the car. These same execs also were in love with Yeley not too long ago. Coleman having a sponsor or two in his back pocket surely enhanced his value to HOFR. Further proof that being a decent driver (Raines) and keeping the car in the top 35 (Raines) is not enough in today's NASCORP.
Super Star