Spade Racing

An Average O’Reilly Series Race Day for JJ Yeley

3 Hours Before the Green Flag: Arrive at track with the little soaps you swiped from the Motel 6.

2 Hours, 45 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Change into remarkably clean firesuit (no laps=no sweat).

2 Hours, 30 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Meeting with sponsors (last weekend was ‘Recliner 4 Sale Dark Brown V. Minor Fabric Damage $150 OBO’).

2 Hours Before the Green Flag: Meet with Ford Racing representatives (a guy in a blue polo shirt who claims to drive a ’98 Ranger).

1 Hour 30 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Pre-race meal—ramen noodles, expired beef jerky, and whatever soda they could swipe from JRM’s coolers.

1 Hour Before the Green Flag: Drivers’ meeting, try again to get “Hey I’m an F1 champion” joke to make someone laugh.

30 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Drivers’ introductions—the silence is a good time to check for tinnitus.

15 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Pre-race ceremonies, try think of new ways to explain why the car will “fail”.

5 Minutes Before the Green Flag: Get strapped in, fire up the engine, roll off pit road, and think about where to go in about half an hour.

GREEN FLAG!: Fall to the back, wonder how it got to be this way, regret departure from JGR, avoid spinning Natalie Decker.

5 Minutes After the Green Flag: Pit, sit in car, watch crew do nothing, then go back on track. It’s a lot like life.

15 Minutes After the Green Flag: Pit, use random excuse to explain why car isn’t working, pull behind the garage, say hi to Phil the official who takes pity on us.

30 Minutes After the Green Flag: Help team load car onto hauler that was once a backup hauler to the backup hauler for Hendrick Motorsports’ test team.

45 Minutes After the Green Flag: If possible, pull out of the garage through the tunnel to beat the traffic. If not possible, stay and play canasta to pass the time.

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Does this track have lights?

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Race Picks Bristol: Spade Racing vs. AI

Join me as I test my wits against various AI programs in picking the 2026 Cup races. Once they’ve made their picks, I’ll make my normal Favorite, Next Favorite, and Dark Horse picks (in addition to my regular O’Reilly & Truck Series picks). At the end of the year we’ll see who knows more—me, or a soulless machine gobbling up water and electricity.

ChatGPT AI (5 wins) sez: If I had to put one name on it right now, before Friday practice and qualifying, I’m going with Kyle Larson to win Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol.

Truck Series (2 wins) UNOH 250 Thursday 8pm ET on FS1: LAYNE RIGGS—will he be stuck in Trucks forever?

O’Reilly Series (4 wins) Food City 300 Friday 7:30pm ET on CW: JUSTIN ALLGAIER—Justin time (…sorry).

Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race 7:30pm ET on USA FAVORITE (1 win): DENNY HAMLIN—I feel like Denny & Kyle just flip spaces between AI & Favorite picks lately. NEXT FAVORITE (3 wins): TY GIBBS—heck of a paint scheme too. DARK HORSE (2 wins): JOSH BERRY—on a bit of a heater lately.