“OFFICIAL” After two decades of racing with underfunded teams JJ Yeley is ‘eager’ to return to NASCAR after landing a spot with the famed stock car racing team, Spire Motorsports, in the Truck Series, much to the delight of fans
In the high-octane world of NASCAR, where underdogs often chase shadows of glory, few stories embody resilience quite like that of J.J. Yeley. For over two decades, the 49-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native has crisscrossed the circuits in underfunded outfits, scraping together starts in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and beyond, all while chasing that elusive first victory. But on October 6, 2025, Spire Motorsports dropped a bombshell announcement that sent shockwaves through the stock car racing community: Yeley will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on October 17. It’s not just a one-off gig—it’s a triumphant return to the Trucks after a five-year hiatus, and Yeley couldn’t be more eager.
“After grinding it out in the lower tiers for so long, this feels like a breath of fresh air,” Yeley said in a team-issued statement, his voice laced with the quiet fire of a veteran who’s seen it all. “Spire’s got real firepower, and Talladega? That’s where magic happens. I’m ready to put it all on the line.” Fans, long-time admirers of Yeley’s grit, erupted in delight across social media. “Finally, JJ gets a truck that can WIN!” tweeted one supporter, while another posted, “From midget tracks to Talladega— this man’s journey is pure NASCAR poetry.” The buzz is palpable, a rare moment where the sport’s journeymen steal the spotlight from its superstars.
Yeley’s path to this starting line reads like a roadmap of perseverance. Born into a racing family, he cut his teeth in the dirt ovals of open-wheel racing, dominating the USAC scene with a feat that cements his legacy: the USAC Triple Crown in 2003, joining an elite club that includes legends like Tony Stewart and Pancho Carter. That same year, he made his mark at the Indianapolis 500, finishing ninth in a shoestring IndyCar effort—a rookie run that turned heads and hinted at untapped potential. But transitioning to NASCAR’s asphalt empires proved tougher. Debuting in the Truck Series in 2004 with just 36 career starts to his name, Yeley notched two top-10 finishes, including a ninth at Daytona in 2017, but wins remained just out of reach.
The Xfinity and Cup Series beckoned next, where Yeley became the epitome of the “journeyman driver.” From 2004 onward, he’s logged 393 Xfinity starts and a staggering 394 in Cup, often in cars that were more rust-bucket than rocket. Teams like Hall of Fame Racing, where he raced alongside a young Joey Logano in 2008, promised much but delivered little—underfunded operations that left him winless despite flashes of speed. Crashes, like the 2009 USAC wreck that fractured three cervical vertebrae, tested his resolve, yet he bounced back, qualifying for nine of 14 Cup attempts in 2010 with Whitney Motorsports. Fast-forward to 2025, and Yeley’s Cup schedule remains sporadic: eight starts for the perpetually cash-strapped NY Racing Team, with a ninth lined up at Las Vegas this weekend. It’s a grind that’s honed his skills but starved his dreams.
Enter Spire Motorsports, the Charlotte-based powerhouse that’s quietly built a reputation as a launchpad for talent in the Truck Series. Founded in 2017 by automotive entrepreneur Jeff Dick, Spire has evolved from a Cup-focused underdog into a multi-division contender, boasting a gleaming new headquarters and a stable of Chevrolet machinery. Their Truck program, in particular, has been a hotbed of success: Kyle Busch snagged a nail-biter win at Atlanta earlier this year in the No. 7, while Carson Hocevar dominated at Kansas before graduating to Spire’s Cup lineup alongside Justin Haley and Michael McDowell. With eight different drivers rotating through the seat this season—including prospects like Connor Zilisch—Spire’s willingness to mix veterans with newcomers has paid dividends. Yeley’s addition fits like a glove: a seasoned hand to steady the wheel at Talladega, a 2.66-mile beast known for its pack-racing chaos and Cinderella stories.
What makes this opportunity electric is Spire’s edge. Unlike the underfunded rides Yeley’s known—teams scraping for tires and tape—this No. 7 is a victory machine, backed by Chevrolet’s engineering muscle and a crew led by engineers like Dax Gerringer. Talladega, with its drafting demands and history of surprise winners, levels the field, but Yeley’s experience could turn the tide. “He’s got that old-school savvy,” noted Spire president Mike Greci, echoing the team’s enthusiasm. “In a draft like Talladega, smarts beat speed every time.” For Yeley, it’s validation after years of being the reliable No. 2 or filler driver. Over 800 starts across NASCAR’s top three series, zero checkered flags—until now, perhaps.
The fanfare underscores why this resonates. NASCAR thrives on narratives of redemption, and Yeley’s is tailor-made. Social feeds lit up post-announcement, with hashtags like #JJtoTalladega trending among die-hards. “He’s the heart of why we love this sport,” one forum post read. “Not the multi-million-dollar contracts, but the guys who never quit.” Veterans like Mark Martin, a fellow Arizona racing icon, have long praised Yeley’s moxie, and even Stewart—Yeley’s USAC rival turned NASCAR titan—once called him “the toughest S.O.B. on dirt or pavement.”
As the Love’s RV Stops 225 approaches on FS1 at 4 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Yeley. A win here wouldn’t just etch his name in the record books; it’d shatter the glass ceiling for every underfunded warrior watching from the sidelines. In a sport where funding often trumps fire, J.J. Yeley’s story reminds us that eagerness and endurance can still draft you to the front. Spire Motorsports has handed him the keys to a contender—now, it’s up to the road to decide if this two-decade odyssey ends in glory. For fans, it’s more than a race; it’s the underdog’s anthem, roaring back to life.
