Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Finishes 20th at Mid-Ohio

Lexington, Ohio — The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team finished 20th in round nine of the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Reserve EMCO Gears Classic run at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course today.

After inheriting the pole position following post qualifying technical inspection on Friday, Patrick Long was able to lead more than 26 laps in the number 23 Ruby Tuesday car. On lap 23 he reported a low battery. The failing electrics forced him to pit on lap 40 to change the battery. This began a series of pit stops which finally resulted in the team changing two batteries and then finally the alternator on lap 65 valuable track position and laps.

Patrick Long was encouraged at the start. "We were able to lead early and after the luck the Ruby Tuesday team has had it was nice to run at the front again. I was pushing and the 39 and the 10 guys were really coming hard. We had a good car until the dreaded battery light came on and then it was flash backs to Phoenix. We had to change the battery twice and that just put us too far behind. We will come back in Daytona in just five days; we have some unfinished business there from the 24 hours. There is no quit in the Ruby Tuesday team."

Mike Rockenfeller was disappointed with the result. "Again we ran into problems with our battery and alternator. One failure like that a year is a fluke; two is really unheard of in these cars. Patrick did a great job to control the start and lead the first 26 laps. When I got in the battery still was not charging, but we had to keep going as some of the other top points teams were also having trouble. Daytona is just five days away and the Ruby Tuesday team has a short few days to turn things around, I am looking forward to going back to Daytona and finishing what we started in the 24 hour last January."

"Another tough outing for us with the alternator," said Alex Job, team owner. "We are going to institute a fix for Daytona and we will get it turned around. Patrick and Mike did the work behind the wheel and the Ruby Tuesday team put a good car on the track, a part that is not in our control cost us again today. The good news is we are looking forward to Daytona in just five days as we had a very good run there in the 24."

The Ruby Tuesday team will make a fast return to base in Tavares, Florida and prepare for the one day practice, qualify and race for round ten at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday.

Ruby Tuesday is one of the nation’s leading casual-dining restaurant companies, with more than 800 restaurants worldwide. It was founded in 1972 by Sandy Beall, who serves as Chairman & CEO today. The company is committed to having uncompromising freshness and quality with passionate employees who take pride in delighting guests with an excellent dining experience. The burger-centric menu features an assortment of handcrafted burgers, its fresh salad bar, premium baby back ribs and a variety of other signature entrees. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the NY Stock Exchange (symbol:RI). To find out more about Ruby Tuesday, please visit www.rubytuesday.com

To view the Alex Job Racing press kit or for additional information, please refer to www.alexjobracing.com or contact Kyle Chura by or at (248) 821-0468.