Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Yeley to run in first NASCAR race at LVMS

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003 | 10:09 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

J.J. Yeley, who capped a record-setting season by becoming only the second driver to capture USAC's "Triple Crown," likely will make his NASCAR debut March 6 in the Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Yeley, who will run a combination of ARCA, NASCAR Busch and NASCAR Nextel Cup races next season for Joe Gibbs Racing, said last week during a conference call that the initial plan was for him run the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway in February, but the team did not have enough time to get a car ready for him.

Yeley, 27, said the plan now is for him to make his stock-car debut in a Busch Series race and that the Las Vegas event is a possibility.

Yeley and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart are the only drivers to win the "Triple Crown" -- national championships in USAC Sprint, Silver Crown and Midget cars. Stewart owned the car that Yeley drove to the Sprint championship.

It has been rumored that Elliott either will retire or reduce his racing schedule next season.

Richard Childress racing also has scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning at which the team is expected to announce its driver for the No. 30 Chevrolet.

Busch is scheduled to sign autographs with Kenseth, Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Jamie McMurray, Busch Series champion Brian Vickers and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil Thursday at Rockerfeller Center.