Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs were supposed to be in the limelight of the USAC Nationals Turkey Night Grand Prix. However, part-timer JJ Yeley eclipsed their stardom and became the center of attraction at Ventura Raceway for all the wrong reasons. The former Rick Ware racing driver was involved in a late-race crash after coming into contact with David Gasper’s midget car.

Yeley was fuming with the way Gasper ended his race, and as soon as he got out of his race car, he wanted a payback. What followed next was total chaos and drama. Yeley got hold of his steering wheel and aimed it at the young driver, not once but twice. He also dished out a threat, stating, “Someone needs to beat the sh-t out of him. If they don’t stop me, I’ll be the first one to f–king do it.”

But unlike JJ Yeley, Gasper didn’t lose his cool and was willing to talk to the veteran driver provided he kept his anger in control.

David Gasper is open to having a dialogue with JJ Yeley

Now, it’s understandable for drivers to lose their cool in high-stakes races. Although dirt racing is a passion-driven sport, the 48-year-old veteran could’ve controlled his temper in what was a race-related incident. But what caused Yeley to resort to throwing a steering wheel dangerously on the racetrack? “You know, yesterday we spun out, and I got in a wreck. He hit me head-on, wide open, never lifted. And then, right there, I don’t know what he was thinking. I mean, we’re running fifth; there’s 10 laps to go, and he just threw a dive bomb in there and wrecked me.” Yeley said this to Flo Racing after the incident.

Well, it can be intimidating for a young driver to be called out by a veteran racer, but Gasper wasn’t sold on Yeley’s threats. “I’m willing to talk to him if he comes on over and, you know keeps his cool; I’ll have a conversation with him. But yeah, until then Turkey Night was eventful for sure, and we will be ready for the next season.”

The problem arose when a move from Gasper brought Yeley’s car to a stop, putting him out of the race. Yeley ripped off his steering wheel and tossed it at Gasper not once, but twice. After the race, fans saw Haley looking for Gasper in the pit areas, when a fight broke out between them. Security had to get involved to separate them. At the end of it all, a frustrated Yeley took to X in frustration, lamenting the damage to his car and his behavior on the track. Despite the attack, Gasper’s willingness to talk means there is some sense of resolution for the two.

Not only JJ Yeley, but NASCAR star drivers like Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch also had a disappointing outing at Ventura Raceway. Larson started the race in the tenth spot but could only muster up a P20 finish after being roughed up by Corey Day. Whereas, Rowdy, who is still trying to learn the tricks of the trade on the dirt, wasn’t able to make it past the qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Kyle Larson’s favorite dirt racer and rising star Corey Day would go on to clinch his first Turkey Night crown.

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Corey Day adds the Turkey Night crown to his collection of trophies

Day had some unfinished business to settle from last year’s Turkey Night Grand Prix after falling shy of the crown finishing second. Starting from the eighth position, Corey Day steadily marched up front and made a pass on the polesitter Jacob Denny on Lap 82. That was it; he never lost his lead and claimed the victory from there on.

There was a controversial element to Day’s win as he made contact with Kyle Larson and spun his No. 1K machine. Unable to recover from this blow, Larson could only manage a P20 finish. With this triumph, Day became the youngest winner in the history of the Turkey Night Grand Prix after celebrating his 19th birthday.

“This was my last race of the year, and I’ve never ended the year with a win in all my years racing. To do that feels really, really good. I look forward to this swing so much and to just being able to come race and almost relax. It’s not as high-pressure as the normal stuff I’m doing and I could get a couple wins down here, and I’m glad to be one spot better here this year.” Day said after the victory.

Well, Corey Day has already made his NASCAR debut and is on Mr. Rick Hendrick’s radar. So he certainly is heading in the right direction and could break through in the big leagues.