BUSCH: Yeley Daytona Speedweeks preview

Car No.: 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Chassis No. 72:

After serving as a backup car for former Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte at the restrictor plate races in Daytona and Talladega in 2003 and the beginning of 2004, Chassis No. 72 made its on track debut in April 2004 at Talladega with Labonte behind the wheel, starting 19th and finishing 10th. The car made its second start in the 2005 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, where in a case of deja vu, Labonte started 19th and finished 10th. In 2006, Interstate Batteries driver J.J. Yeley piloted the car to a 41st place finish in his Daytona 500 debut. Yeley then drove the car in the October race at Talladega, starting 10th and running strong until a late race incident led to a 32nd place finish.

Notes of Interest:

. The Daytona 500 will mark Yeley's 43rd career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start and his third point-paying Nextel Cup start at Daytona International Speedway.

. The 2007 Daytona 500 marks the 16th straight year Interstate Batteries will serve as primary of the No. 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, now the longest active primary sponsor/team combination in Nextel Cup.

. Yeley will pull double-duty at Daytona as he competes in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series races. Yeley drives the No. 1 machine for car owner James Finch in the Busch Series.

. The Orbitz 300 at Daytona will mark Yeley's 88th career NASCAR Busch Series start and his sixth Busch Series start at Daytona.

-credit: jgr