Yeley gets nod for Labonte seat.

Joe Gibbs Racing has plumbed for a second rookie driver for 2006 with confirmation that JJ Yeley will replace Bobby Labonte in the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet.

Former single seater exponent Yeley will join current championship leader Tony Stewart and fellow Nextel Cup rookie Denny Hamlin in a three strong Gibbs line-up next season, with both Hamlin and the 29 year-old Yeley competing for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honours.

"We're excited," announced team president J.D. Gibbs. "We obviously had a great relationship with Bobby Labonte for many years. We like doing things for a long, long time. That worked out. Obviously Bobby made his announcement for, as well as I could imagine, with a hard situation. For us to have JJ sitting here ready to go was obviously a big reason why we were able to make that decision with Bobby. JJ can go forward and win races and challenge for championships. We're excited about that."

Yeley, who is currently eleventh in the NASCAR Busch Series standings with Gibbs' #18 Vigoro sponsored entry, has made six Nextel Cup starts to date, including four this year with a best finish of 25th at Dover in September.

"I'm very excited to get the opportunity to drive the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet out there," said Yeley. "I've got some big shoes to fill out there with Bobby Labonte, past champion and a guy that's won 20 races. I'm just very proud to be a part of JGR. JD and Mr. Makar have given me an opportunity and obviously the equipment is there, Tony leading the points and Denny Hamlin doing very well here lately.

"I'm just very excited for the opportunity they've given me and proud that they have the confidence in me. I want to thank a lot of people-Vigoro and Home Depot have been with me in the Busch Series to get me to this point. My parents have obviously sacrificed a lot to get me to this point. There's a lot of people that have helped me get to this point and hopefully I can go out there for them and make them very proud."

Gibbs joins Chip Ganassi in having two Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates on his books for the 2006 season.