What’s Happening?

J.J. Yeley teased his 2024 plans last weekend at the Chili Bowl by saying he would not return to Rick Ware Racing in favor of a full-time Xfinity Series ride according to Matt Weaver of Sportsnaut. Those plans have now been confirmed as RWR signed Kaz Grala to a 25-race deal for 2024, but, who will Yeley race for?

• According to Weaver, J.J. Yeley’s new ride can compete for the “occasional top-10”. However, no timetable was given, and no team was named.
• Yeley spent 2023 in the Cup Series for 26 races with Rick Ware Racing, but he also made sporadic starts in the Xfinity Series. Yeley made 3 starts with SS Greenlight at Daytona (August), Texas, and Phoenix. He attempted two races for JD Motorsports, failing to qualify at Homestead and finishing 34th at Martinsville (Fall).
• Fans are very curious about where Yeley can go. The occasional top-10 line keeps things very vague.

SS Greenlight #07/08

Sources have told us that the current “rumor” is Yeley will work with Bobby Dotter, who owns SS Greenlight. This has not been confirmed, so, it remains scuttlebutt for now. However, this move would make sense.

First off, Yeley has a relationship with Dotter and SS Greenlight. That relationship goes back to 2020 when Yeley made his first start for Dotter at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Secondly, Dotter has not had a full-time since Joe Graf Jr. in 2020, so, bringing in a veteran like Yeley could give them a full-time driver. When looking at other Xfinity Series teams that are open, as we discuss below, this team truly makes the most sense from the outside perspective.

MBM Motorsports #66/CHK Racing #74

Both of these race teams are looking for a driver in 2024. However, both teams continually struggled to qualify for races, and neither team started in every race. Therefore, it seems unlikely that Yeley would go to either of these teams. On top of that, neither team recorded a top-10 in 2023, so, that “occasional top-10” would indeed be a special occasion.

However, Yeley did record MBM Motorsports’ last Xfinity Series top-10 in 2022. The relationship is there, at least for MBM Motorsports. However, these teams do not necessarily fit the bill of an “Occasional top-10” contender.

B.J. McLeod Motorsports #78/Emerling-Gase #35 OR #53

Both of these teams fit the bill of being “Occasional top-10” contenders. However, both teams have owner-drivers in B.J. McLeod, Joey Gase, and Patrick Emerling. It’s certainly possible that Yeley could fit into a full-time ride, but, each of these drivers would need to step away from the driver’s seat.

McLeod’s Cup Series team sold its’ charter in 2023, so, could he compete in a few Xfinity races in 2024 as a result? Patrick Emerling and Joey Gase both race for their namesake teams in 2023, so, if they return, Yeley cannot run full-time.

Sam Hunt Racing #24/JD Motorsports #6

Both of these cars are occasional top-10 contenders, and both are two-car teams. The question with both is, do they run an All-Star Car or a full-time driver? JD Motorsports already has Dawson Cram in the 4 car, but, their second car was an All-Star Car in 2024. Sam Hunt Racing lost Kaz Grala, but, all they have announced so far is part-time drivers.

Sam Hunt Racing seems more likely in this scenario. However, this would also force Yeley to switch manufacturers. JD Motorsports has a similar issue, but, manufacturers are not always as big of a deal as it seems.

Will J.J. Yeley to SS Greenlight become a thing? If not, where else can he go?