1-28-07 -- For Immediate Release

Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team 18-Hour Report from Rolex 24 at Daytona

As the rain came down in the overnight hours of the 45th running of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team's mission was to keep the car on the track and try to pick up a few positions.

In the 13th hour, the Frenchman Romain Dumas finished up his long stint behind the wheel of the No. 23 Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Porsche Crawford, which included a nearly one hour and a half red flag to repair approximately 80 feet of guard railing damage by the No. 82 Porsche GT3 Cup.

The German Jörg Bergmeister was at the helm of the No. 23 Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing Team Porsche Crawford in the 14th and 15th hours and moved from ninth position, 12 laps down to eighth position, 11 laps behind.

"It was pretty wet," Bergmeister said describing the track conditions during his stint. "Actually, the grip on the infield was pretty good, except in Turn Six and in the chicane. But, other than that, I think we had a pretty good car. The way the car was set up, it was a good compromise between a dry set up and a rain set up. So, we did not have to change anything. And, the car was still really competitive in the rain."

On lap 401, the Alex Job Racing prepared No. 23 Porsche Crawford came in for a routine pit stop, where the team decided to replace the Hoosier slick tires with Hoosier rain tires and to put Patrick Long in the car for a double stint. Six laps into Long's run, the team decided it was too dry for rain tires and had Long return to the pits for a new set of slick tires. This move cost the team one position and fell back to ninth, 12 laps down.

With six hours remaining, it will be tough for the Ruby Tuesday Championship Racing team to overcome the 12-lap deficit. But, history is on their side, as they came back from seven laps down last year to take the lead - so it can be done. 

Speed Channel's continuing coverage of the 45th running of the Grand-Am Rolex Series 24 Hours began at 6 a.m. (EST) and will continue through the end of the race on Sunday, Jan. 28.

Ruby Tuesday is one of the nation's leading casual-dining restaurant companies, with more than 900 restaurants worldwide. It was founded in 1972 by Sandy Beall, who serves as Chairman and 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 garden bar, premium baby back ribs and a variety of other signature entrées. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the NY Stock Exchange (symbol: RI). To find out more about Ruby Tuesday, visit www.rubytuesday.com.