Monterey, California — The Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team won the Daytona Prototype qualifying race today in preparation for round six of the Grand American Rolex Series presented by Crown Royal Reserve U.S. Sportscar Invitational to be held at Laguna Seca tomorrow.
Patrick Long took the honors of running the qualifying race for Alex Job Racing. The young Californian was able to jump out to a three second lead in the first laps of the 30-minute qualifying race thanks to a heads-up start and dueling competitors in his mirror. Leading every lap of the race, he was able to bring the Porsche powered Crawford across the line for the win and the pole position for tomorrow’s main event.
Patrick Long set fast time of the morning to start from pole and win the qualifier. "I was able to get a good jump at the start and put a little distance on the guys behind me going into turn one. They were battling pretty good at the beginning and I was able to gap them. Once the race settled in I was getting pressure from those V-8 cars going up the hill. We have a good handling car and we are able to level the field in the fast-twisty-sections. The guys really have the gear settings right and the car braking well, which is critical on this track."
Mike Rockenfeller will start the number 23 Ruby Tuesday entry from pole position for tomorrow’s two-hour-and-forty-five minute race. "Patrick did a nice job in the qualifying race and we were able to gather the data about a long run here. It will be nice to start from pole on the inside for the race. I will look to run clean laps being careful in traffic and try to stay at the front of the field. I am sure there will be some yellows so we will focus on strategy and running a good clean race."
"Patrick did an excellent job," said Alex Job. "Our record is intact of never starting off of the front row all season. We were the fastest in every official practice session and we were able to back it up in the qualifying race. With the qualifying race the team is focused on putting a good setup on the car right off of the trailer. The race here last year was contact filled, so we will look to keep it on the track and up at the front."
The race from Laguna Seca will take the green flag at 12:00 p.m. local and will be televised live on Speed Channel starting at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Grand Am Daytona Prototype Top Qualifying Race Finishers at Laguna Seca:
|
1. |
Long/Rockenfeller |
AJR Porsche/Crawford |
|
2. |
Patterson/Negri |
Pontiac/Riley |
|
3. |
Dalziel/Figge |
Pontiac/Riley |
|
4. |
Cosmo/McDowell |
Ford/Crawford |
|
5. |
Angelelli/Magnussen |
Pontiac/Riley |
|
6. |
Pruett/Diaz |
Lexus/Riley |
|
7. |
Gurney/Fogarty |
Pontiac/Riley |
|
8. |
Valiante/Finlay |
Ford/Crawford |
|
9. |
Wallace/Leitzinger |
Pontiac/Crawford |
|
10. |
Borkowski/Bessette |
Lexus/ Riley |
2006 Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team DP Finishes
|
RACE |
DRIVERS |
QUALIFYING |
FINISH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daytona |
Long, Luhr, Rockenfeller |
1 |
3 |
|
Mexico City |
Did not attend |
– |
– |
|
Homestead |
Long, Rockenfeller |
1 |
1 |
|
Long Beach |
Long, Rockenfeller |
2 |
2 |
|
Virginia |
Long, Rockenfeller |
*2r |
1 |
|
Laguna Seca |
Long, Rockenfeller |
*1r |
|
|
*Denotes qualifying race finish.
|
|||
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.