Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Finishes on the Podium at Barber

Leeds, Alabama — The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team raced to a third place finish today at Barber Motorsport Park for round 11 of the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Reserve Porsche 250.

Patrick Long started the number 23 Ruby Tuesday car from the front row for the two-hour-and-forty-five minute race. At the drop of the green flag, the young Californian went for the lead and was pushed wide by the number 10 in turn one, shuffling him back to fourth. By the end of the first lap Long was able repass for third and was back-up to second position by lap eight.

On lap 19, Long turned the Alex Job Racing prepared Porsche Crawford over to Mike Rockenfeller. Rockenfeller played the Iron Man today and finished the last hour-and-forty-five minutes of the race. What looked like rain, which never materialized, had the teams on their toes with strategy. Rockenfeller returned to the race in eleventh position and through strong moves in traffic was able to work his way back to the top three. The German factory driver was poised for one last shot at victory, but was not able to improve any further in the final five lap dash to the finish.

Patrick Long had a strong run at the front. “At the start I was aggressive and went for the lead, the number 10 pinched me and I had to lift just a little and ended up in fourth exiting turn two. I was able to get a position back in turn four and the other a few laps later. I was trying to pressure the 76 car into a mistake before the next yellow, but they were just too strong down the straight. Mike did a good job going almost two hours and getting us on the podium. We have put together some good races in the last events with two solid runs—we need to win again.”

Mike Rockenfeller had a strong run and a lot of laps. “The way the yellows and the strategy played out, I ended up doing a lot of time in the car. That is alright the Ruby Tuesday team is hungry for a win and I wanted to give them one today. The 76 car was too strong all weekend and they really have the power down the straight away. I had some understeer and the caution periods were tough on us, it was a good day to get another podium finish.”

“We were able to capitalize on our front row and finish third,” said Alex Job, team owner. “I am not sure anyone had anything for the 76 car today. Patrick did a good stint and had us in great position at the driver change. Mike had to overcome being shuffled back twice and carried us back up to a podium finish. We have put together two good races in a row and we are looking forward to Watkins Glen in two weeks.”

The Grand American Rolex series will make its return to Watkins Glen for round 12 on August 11th.

Barber Motorsport Park Daytona Prototype Top Finishers

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.