Yeley turns attention to NASCAR

[jetdoc]

Just thought y'all would want to read this article. It was in today's AZ Repulsive Yeley turns attention to NASCAR

[bigred]

If rumors are on target, Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes could lose Sam Hornish Jr. to a rival IRL team or even NASCAR in 2004. If so, Barnes likely still wouldn't consider Yeley.

"I've talked to a lot of people, and they say his head is bigger than the car," Barnes said. "I don't really know the kid. He looks good, but you need the total package."

I thought this second quoted paragraph was the most interesting part of the article. This is coming from an owner who funds a Silver Crown team, who took a chance on a young American driver, who gave McGehee and Boat rides, and who has provided rookie tests to numerous USAC drivers over the years.

Remembering back to the Yeley-Brian Stewart fiasco of a few months ago, maybe it really isn't anyone's fault here in 2003 that JJ Yeley isn't in an Indycar. Perhaps in 2000 it was a different story. But as we have seen with Scheckter (2002), Mack, and others, approaching owners and fans with a sense of entitlement and an unwilliness to compromise is the easiest way to wear out a welcome.

[jetdoc]

I was wondering how many would pick up that quote bigred. FWIW....those are the EXACT same arguments/reasons that several of us have given on here for him NOT being in the IRL at present. His last stint didn't impress too many owners/mechanics/engineers. Motorsports is a "very small community" and word like THAT gets out quickly and trust me....is extremely hard to rid yourself of.

I myself wish that we COULD keep him in the IRL and anyone that watched the USAC race on SPEED last night from Terre Haute would understand where we're coming from. During an interview with Ron Hemelgarn, he stated "....these guys are GREAT in front engine cars, but they HAVE TO GET some R/E formula experience prior to coming to the IRL and that's why he's fielding an IPS team..." It's sorta like a "Training Ground" for cars with ground effects. He went on to say something to the effect that after a year or so in the IPS he sees NO REASON why alot of the Sprint/Midget guys couldn't move to the IRL, "experience wise, but first they MUST commit themselves to training in a R/E Formula car...other than a "test".

[stymie]

Well John Barnes can say what he wants but the more telling quote is from the Owner that gave him the chance, not one that lets rumor and speculation determine his decision.

"JJ is for real, there's no question about that," said ppc Racing co-owner and General Manager Keith Barnwell, whose regular drivers are series leader Scott Riggs and third-place Jason Keller. "The biggest compliment you can pay a race car driver like JJ is that the guys on the team just loved him. He didn't come here with a superstar attitude. He came in wanting to learn how to drive these race cars. .

"He was able to tell (Keller crew chief) Steve Addington exactly what the car was doing, and that tells you a lot. We're actively looking for sponsorship for a third team, and if we're successful, we would be interested in talking to JJ."

If JJ's ego was so big why does he spend so much time working on his own cars and helping load them into the trailers, cleaning them after the races and fixing them when they have been damaged. I know plenty of drivers in his same situation that show up drive and go home.

As far as the "Brian Stewart Fiasco" I happen to agree with JJ's choice to drive for his lively hood and welfare of his family over the possibility of maybe getting paid. I've known JJ since he first came to Indiana to race and worked with him on a Silver Crown car, if Barnes thinks JJ has an enflated ego then John must not know any humble people.

In the Indy Car / CART circle the following drivers did not have the total package - Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kenny Irwin, Ryan Newman(Granted he set his sights on NASCAR early but that was his reality), Jason Leffler, Mike Bliss and looks as if the following can be added to the list JJ Yeley, Tracy Hines. I'm sure there are others that race Barber Dodge, Star Mozda or other series but I don't typically follow them that will also be looked over the way so many other have.

JJ go south if you have to I will still watch you race the same as the others.

[MoparsRule]

Exactly, Stymie.

The "I've talked to a lot of people" bs from Barnes just doesn't cut it.

Personally, "I've talked to a lot of people" that swear up & down that Panther has been an IRL sanctioned cheater team from the start & it's only getting worse now... does that make it true?

After all, "a lot of people" have said it, right?

[bigred]

Originally posted by stymie
Well John Barnes can say what he wants but the more telling quote is from the Owner that gave him the chance, not one that lets rumor and speculation determine his decision.

...

As far as the "Brian Stewart Fiasco" I happen to agree with JJ's choice to drive for his lively hood and welfare of his family over the possibility of maybe getting paid. I've known JJ since he first came to Indiana to race and worked with him on a Silver Crown car, if Barnes thinks JJ has an enflated ego then John must not know any humble people.

First off, who is saying that John Barnes let "rumor and speculation determine his decision"? I would guess that anyone whose account Barnes allowed to influence his own, would have to be so directly involved in past dealings or interactions with JJ (and whose record is so above reproach) as to be worthy of being called "truth" rather than "rumor". No owner worth his salt would make a decision based on rumor.

Secondly, we know (through the magic of TSO and the reporting of the Indy Star) that Yeley was linked to drive for Brian Stewart at Kansas. If this was an unfounded rumor (which I highly doubt since it was reported by both a highly respected source of inside Indycar information ... and the Star ), Yeley should have gone on the record to refute the published story. Or at least to explain why he didn't show up for the race. Even as simple as saying "I would have been there, but when I found out that I wouldn't be allowed to race after missing the early practice sessions, I decided not to throw away my season-long effort for the USAC championships." That would have at least been enough to go on record and declare publicly that he didn't flake out or leave the BSR team hanging. He didn't need to issue a press release or anything, but he hasn't even gone on record with any print or broadcast journalist. And the fact that he hasn't done so in the last month is telling.

When Scheckter quit the Cheever team the way he did, he burnt some very important bridges in racing. Of course, he knew that he had another (better) option waiting with Ganassi. IMHO, Yeley is doing the same thing right now. And he doesn't care to do anything (even the most basic) for Indycar racing because he has Dan Davis and Ford burning a hole in his back pocket.

[grogg]

If rumors are on target, Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes could lose Sam Hornish Jr. to a rival IRL team or even NASCAR in 2004. If so, Barnes likely still wouldn't consider Yeley.

"I've talked to a lot of people, and they say his head is bigger than the car," Barnes said. "I don't really know the kid. He looks good, but you need the total package."

Unbelievable. In 1960 he would probably have said the same thing about Foyt and Parnelli.

[ghost]

IRL leadership/ownership letting a (possible) USAC triple crown winner go south (again) is why this series continues to get 1.0 tv ratings. What a joke

[BSJracing]

Originally posted by ghost
IRL leadership/ownership letting a (possible) USAC triple crown winner go south (again) is why this series continues to get 1.0 tv ratings. What a joke

Yeah, JJ Yeley going to NASCAR is the sole reason that TV ratings are staying @ 1.

[BlueStang]

John Barnes fully admitted in that quote that he doesn't know the kid. He simply stated what he'd heard from others, then his own opinion from what he'd seen of JJ's driving, and his opinion that being a great driver wasn't all you needed to be a "great driver."

I actually don't get that he wouldn't consider JJ from what is quoted. What I get out of it is that he does not really know the kid, and would have to get to know him before he'd take a chance on him.

[MicroRacer]

Originally posted by jetdoc
I was wondering how many would pick up that quote bigred. FWIW....those are the EXACT same arguments/reasons that several of us have given on here for him NOT being in the IRL at present. His last stint didn't impress too many owners/mechanics/engineers. Motorsports is a "very small community" and word like THAT gets out quickly and trust me....is extremely hard to rid yourself of.

You think maybe John read the rumors on Trackforum and accepted them as fact?

[D Byrd]

in JJ's last "stint" in the IRL, he wasn't driving new equipment. he was driving a 1999 g-force in the last few races of the 2000 season.

he sure as **** impressed the car owners he was driving for, the mechanics that worked on the car, the engineer that would get his feedback, and yours truly. he got everything out of his ride that you could possibly get and never put a foot wrong.

does he have a bit of an ego? probably a little. i got along with him really well, though. but show me a racer that wins regularly that doesn't just come off as a little bit cocky. i haven't found one yet.

[carl s]

Originally posted by BSJracing
Yeah, JJ Yeley going to NASCAR is the sole reason that TV ratings are staying @ 1.

No, your right BSJ.
The other 15 reasons are already in NASCAR.
carl s
Indio, CA

[Grover]

Originally posted by BSJracing
Yeah, JJ Yeley going to NASCAR is the sole reason that TV ratings are staying @ 1.

No its not the sole reason.

It is one of many reasons why they'll stay at 1 in the future though.

Looking forward to adding JJ to the growing list of American "exceptions" that OW racing doesn't need because of his "improper" background.

[Defender]

If the spridget boys want a ride in the IRL, perhaps they should attempt to market themselves more effectively. NASCAR presents some more opportunity simply because there are multiple ways in multiple divisions to get rides.

Saying 'I want a ride in Indy Cars' is not enough. I don't care who you are. J.J. or A.J. or B.J. Although the latter might open a few more doors.

John Barnes is a highly successful owner who didn't get where he is by being out of touch. He's got a telephone and I know from personal experience that his e-mail is functional. If the Yeley Yelpers want the guy in Indy Cars, why not suggest he call a few folks actually involved in the operation of teams? Couldn't hurt, could it?