NASCAR: Who is replacing Jennifer Jo Cobb at Talladega?
By Asher Fair
With Jennifer Jo Cobb not making her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Talladega Superspeedway this afternoon, who will race in her place?
After it was announced that Jennifer Jo Cobb, who has competed in NASCAR since 2004, was set to make her Cup Series debut at Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday, April 25 following 247 starts across the Truck Series and the Xfinity Series, NASCAR rejected her request for approval, thanks in large part to the nature of superspeedway racing.
As a result, Cobb will not be behind the wheel of the #15 Chevrolet for this afternoon’s188-lap race around the four-turn, 2.66-mile (4.281-kilometer) high-banked oval in Lincoln, Alabama as initially planned.
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So J.J. Yeley is set to get the opportunity to compete in another Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
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Yeley is an experienced driver at the Cup level who has competed in 327 Cup Series over 17 seasons, including 13 at Talladega Superspeedway and 15 at the other superspeedway on the schedule, Daytona International Speedway.
Yeley has competed in two races so far this season, both with Rick Ware Racing behind the wheel of the #53 Chevrolet. He finished in 28th place after starting in 34th on dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway, and he finished in 25th after starting in 28th at Martinsville Speedway.
He had been slated to compete in the race at Phoenix Raceway, but a late driver change saw Garrett Smithley drive the #53 Chevrolet in this event.
In Yeley’s career at Talladega Superspeedway, his top finish is an 11th place effort back in May 2006. His average finish at the track is 28.9. At Daytona International Speedway, his top finish is a 10th place effort back in February 2013. His average finish at the track is 26.9.
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The GEICO 500 is set to be broadcast live from Talladega Superspeedway on Fox beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET this afternoon. Due to the NASCAR starting lineup formula, Yeley is set to start this race in 37th place.