JOLIET, Ill. – J.J. Yeley, one of the most successful drivers in United States Auto Club history, will pilot the RMS No. 36 when the NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series races at Dirt Oval 66 on Saturday.
Yeley, of Phoenix, Ariz., has had a consistent run of success at Dirt Oval 66, never finishing outside the top-four in six USAC national starts at the half-mile dirt oval.
He’s made three midget starts there, finishing fourth in 2001, third in 2002 and fourth in 2003. In three sprint car appearances, Yeley ran second in 2001, third in 2002 and won in 2003.
Yeley made his last USAC National Midget appearance in last September’s BC39 at the Dirt Track at IMS. He’s a five-time USAC national champion and is the second and most recent driver to win the coveted Triple Crown in a single season, capturing the Silver Crown, National Sprint and National Midget championships in 2003.
Previously, Yeley won the sprint title in 2001 and the Silver Crown championship in 2002.
Yeley will compete as a teammate to Thomas Meseraull on the RMS team Saturday in Joliet. Meseraull and RMS were victorious in last December’s non-points Junior Knepper 55, held indoors at the Southern Illinois Center.
The former NASCAR driver takes the reins of the RMS No. 36 from fellow USAC champion Dave Darland, who piloted the car through the conclusion of Indiana Midget Week.