NASCAR Cup Series: J.J. Yeley to replace Gray Gaulding at Daytona

NASCAR veteran J.J. Yeley is set to replace Gray Gaulding in the #23 BK Racing Toyota in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Gray Gaulding, 20, has driven in each of the first 17 races of the 36-race 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, and he is one of 31 drivers who have done so. However, he is set to be replaced in this weekend’s Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Gaulding drove the #23 BK Racing Toyota in each of those 17 races, but NASCAR veteran J.J. Yeley is set to drive that car in this Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Daytona International Speedway oval in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Gaulding’s best finish of the 2018 season so far is his 20th place finish in the Daytona 500 in mid-February. His average finish is currently 30.4, and he sits in 32nd place in the championship standings in what was supposed to be his first full season as a Cup Series driver.

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Yeley has driven in three Cup Series races so far this season. He drove the #55 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet in the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway in late March, the #7 NY Racing Team Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Sunday and the #7 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet in the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in early June. The 41-year-old finished in 31st place in the race at Martinsville, 38th in the race at Charlotte and 32nd in the race at Pocono.

Yeley also currently drives full-time for RSS Racing in the Xfinity Series, and he has driven in three races for Copp Motorsports in the Truck Series this year. He drives the #38 Chevrolet, the #39 Chevrolet and the #93 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series, and he sits in 25th place in the championship standings. He drove the #63 Chevrolet in each of his three Truck Series starts so far this season.

NY Racing and BK Racing are aligning to allow Yeley to drive in this weekend’s Cup Series race in the #23 Toyota, and Steakhouse Elite is set to be the primary sponsor of the car.

Here is what Steakhouse Elite COO Evan Wexler had to say about the company sponsoring Yeley’s #23 Toyota in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, according to ESPN.

"“Steakhouse Elite is excited to be back on board with JJ Yeley and NY Racing at Daytona this weekend. July Fourth is one of the best times to tailgate with Friends and Family. There is no better place that we can think to spend the holiday, than at Daytona International Speedway with NASCAR Fans.”"

Here is what Yeley had to say about the opportunity to drive in this Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, according to ESPN.

"“I am looking forward to plate racing this weekend at Daytona. Steakhouse Elite has been a great partner so far this year, and I definitely think it is fitting to have them on board for one of the biggest tailgating holidays, July Fourth. I hope everyone enjoys their Steakhouse Elite burgers while watching the race Saturday night!”"

It is unknown exactly how the driver situation of the #23 BK Racing Toyota will play out throughout the rest of the 2018 Cup Series season.

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Are you excited that J.J. Yeley is set to drive the #23 BK Racing Toyota as opposed in the Coke Zero Sugar on Saturday night as opposed to Gray Gaulding? Tune in to the live broadcast of the race from Daytona International Speedway. It is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on NBC on Saturday, July 7.