NASCAR: J.J. Yeley to drive for Rick Ware Racing in 2020

J.J. Yeley is set to drive full-time for Rick Ware Racing in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, marking his first full-time ride since 2007.

The last time J.J. Yeley competed in all 36 races of a NASCAR Cup Series season was in the 2007 season when he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing. He did compete in 31 races in the 2011 season, 35 races in the 2013 season and 34 races in the 2015 season.

Next season, however, this is set to change, as the 43-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native is set to drive for Rick Ware Racing on a full-time basis.

After driving for the team in one race last year, Yeley has driven for the team in 14 races so far this season, and he is set to compete in Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway as well.

Here is what Yeley had to say about this opportunity to compete full-time in the Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing next year, according to NBC Sports.

"“I can’t thank Rick and Lisa Ware enough for the opportunity to be back behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series car full-time next year. They are a family owned team, who continues to grow and build new relationships with sponsors, and expand their efforts in NASCAR. Over the past couple weeks, we’ve accumulated some pretty solid finishes and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in 2020.”"

Here is what team owner Rick Ware had to add.

"“I am excited to have JJ Yeley on board with the Rick Ware Racing organization for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season. JJ is a great asset to any team, and has a proven track record for bringing home solid finishes for RWR. I look forward to having him on board, as we continue to grow this team.”"

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Yeley has competed in 290 Cup Series races over the course of his career, which spans from the 2004 season through the 2019 season but does not include the 2016 season.

His best finish is his second place finish in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He also finished in third at New Hampshire Motor Speedway the following year.

He has recorded eight top 10 finishes throughout his career, and he took the pole position for the June race at Michigan International Speedway in the 2007 season.

Yeley has led 75 of the 67,134 laps that he has completed, most recently leading one lap in the November race at Texas Motor Speedway in the 2015 season en route to a 33rd place finish. His career average starting position is 32.3, and his career average finishing position is 31.4.

So far this season, his best finish is his 12th place finish in the July race at Daytona International Speedway. His average starting position is 35.9 and his average finishing position is 29.2.

Rick Ware Racing plan to have three full-time drivers for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season. Garrett Smithley has been rumored as another one, but neither one of the other two have been confirmed. The season is scheduled to begin Sunday, February 16 with the 62nd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.