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Yeley Out, Coleman In At Hall Of Fame Racing

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 7, 2008

Updated: 08/07/2008 12:56 am

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Twenty-year-old Brad Coleman will replace J.J. Yeley in the No. 96 Hall of Fame Racing Toyota beginning at the Aug. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Yeley, already set to sit out Sunday's Cup race at Watkins Glen in favor of road racing specialist P.J. Jones, was released by the team Wednesday.

The Michigan race will be the Cup debut for Coleman, who has made 42 Nationwide Series starts and is currently 16th in the season points with one top 10, driving for Baker Curb Racing.

A year ago, Coleman drove part time for Joe Gibbs Racing and had three top fives, including a runner-up finish at Kentucky, and five top 10s in 15 races.

"I really appreciate Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel, co-owners of Hall of Fame Racing for giving me this opportunity," Coleman said. "I have really enjoyed my time testing with the people on the team and I'm looking forward to having a successful weekend at Michigan in the DLP HDTV Toyota and helping Hall of Fame Racing finish out the season as strong as possible."

Yeley, 31, spent the past two Cup seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing before moving to Hall of Fame Racing this year.

TRUEX TO STAY AT DEI THROUGH 2009: Martin Truex Jr. finally agreed to a contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Inc. that keeps him in the No. 1 Chevrolet at least through 2009.

The two sides held a mutual option on the 2009 season, but Truex had been reluctant to commit even though DEI was eager to retain him. He tested the market, and had verbally agreed to stay with the team several weeks ago, but declined signing anything.

Now that he's signed, the two sides are working on a longer deal.

DEI president Max Siegel referred all questions to Truex, and a spokesman for the driver said he'd discuss his status Friday at Watkins Glen International.

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