Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team to Start Fifth at The Glen

Watkins Glen, New York — The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team will start from the third row tomorrow at Watkins Glen International Raceway for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and round eight of the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Reserve.

The weekend was disrupted due to a legal issue between one of the competitors and the series. Grand American was forced to cancel Daytona Prototype practice yesterday as well as qualifying, necessitating lining the cars up for the race according to team points.

Throughout the practice sessions today drivers Patrick Long and Mike Rockenfeller worked closely with the crew to make the necessary adjustments to the Ruby Tuesday number 23 car finishing the day as the fastest Daytona Prototype with a time of 1:45.466. A mix of sun and rain forecast throughout the weekend will play a role in the team’s strategy for the six-hour race tomorrow.

"Despite the legal interruption in the weekend we were able to work through our prerace program and get the car up at the top of the timing chart," said Alex Job, team owner. "Six hours is a long time and we are starting toward the front which is always the goal. Mike and Patrick are on the pace and it is a track that suits our Porsche powered Crawford. The rain may play a role in the race tomorrow, so we will be ready for any eventuality. The Ruby Tuesday team is really focused on getting back on the winning track after two difficult races."

Patrick Long is looking forward to running a competitive race. "I had a small incident in practice where I had a lazy spin and then got hit pretty good in the rear. The rain and cooler weather has taken some grip out of the track. The concrete patches can be slippery, so you have to pick your line carefully. Traffic will be an issue, there a lot of first timers in GT and DP that we will have to be careful out there tomorrow. We need to make up lost ground in the points and that means having a trouble free run from the drivers and a mechanically sound car for the full six."

Mike Rockenfeller is optimistic for his first six-hour. "We missed a lot of practice yesterday and this our first time here with this car. Like usual we are working on the setup of the car to be as good as possible in the race. The track really has every kind of turn except a first gear hair-pin. The banked, high speed turns are really fun to drive. Patrick and I are up to speed on the circuit and now we are making the small adjustments to the car so we can run at the front for six hours tomorrow. If we can have a trouble free run mechanically, I am confident we can return to our winning form."

Long and Rockenfeller are currently seventh in the drivers point standings, 34 out of the lead in the Daytona Prototype category. The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team is currently fifth in the team championship.

Round eight of the Grand American Rolex series from Watkins Glen will be televised live on Speed Channel starting at 2:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 3rd.

The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team will be appearing at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in the Arnot Mall in Horseheads, New York, tonight at 8:00 p.m. to sign autographs and greet fans.

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.