J.J. Yeley is set to make his second NASCAR Cup Series start of the 2026 season in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, driving the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet. Fanatics Casino will serve as the primary sponsorship partner for Yeley and the No. 44 team in two events this season, including this weekend’s race.
Following the event at Michigan, Fanatics Casino’s black and white colors will adorn the No. 44 Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, July 5.
Fanatics kicked off a partnership with the NY Racing Team a season ago, as Fanatics Sportsbook served as a two-race primary sponsorship partner in 2025. The brand is excited to return with its casino offering this season.
“We are proud to partner with John Cohen and the New York Racing Team for another NASCAR race season,” said Michael Afflick, Vice President of Casino Brand Marketing, Fanatics Betting & Gaming. “We’re excited to show up in a state where Fanatics Casino is live, giving customers a memorable and rewarding race-weekend experience, and capturing behind-the-scenes content that brings fans closer to the car, the driver, and the energy of NASCAR.”
Likewise, NY Racing Team is amped up at the opportunity to once again represent Fanatics in 2026.
“We’re excited to continue building our relationship with Fanatics and bring a nationally recognized brand back to the NASCAR Cup Series stage,” said John Cohen, owner of New York Racing Team. “Fanatics understands today’s sports fan better than anyone, and NASCAR provides an incredible platform to connect with passionate audiences across the country. Having Fanatics Casino on the No. 44 Chevrolet at Michigan and Fanatics Sportsbook at Chicagoland is a major opportunity for our team, and we’re proud to represent their brand on race day.”
Yeley attempted to make the field for the Daytona 500 with the NY Racing Team entry back in February, but unfortunately, he narrowly missed out on advancing to the field for the race. However, a week later, Yeley would compete in the NASCAR Cup Series event at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, driving the No. 44 Chevrolet.
In that race, Yeley would start shotgun on the field in the 38th position, and would work his way up to 31st before his evening was ended early due to a crash on Lap 221.
To date, Yeley has amassed 397 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the veteran racer’s career-best finish is second, which he achieved in the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
