Community Cares Rick Ruzbarsky

By KELLY JONES, BEE STAFF WRITER Published: June 22, 2003, 08:06:20 AM PDT SONOMA, California -- Any other time, team owner Jeff Jess would feel lucky to have one of NASCAR's top drivers racing his car. But not on Saturday. That's because his regular driver, Tracy's Rick Ruzbarsky, suddenly fell ill on his way to the prerace drivers' meeting. On Saturday night, Ruzbarsky underwent surgery at Sonoma Valley Hospital for diverticulitis, and had part of his colon and appendix removed, Jess said, adding that Ruzbarsky would be out of racing four to five months. On Friday and early Saturday, Ruzbarsky was smiling ear-to-ear about the opportunity to drive in the Southwest Tour race. "We feel really bad for Rick," Jess said. "He worked really hard." So did Robby Gordon, Ruzbarsky's last-minute replacement. About the same size as Ruzbarsky (to avoid major seat adjustments), a great road racer and willing to pick up more laps in preparation for today's Dodge/Save Mart 350, Gordon fit the bill perfectly for the Jess Motorsports/Borg Redwood Fences No. 51 car. Gordon said he felt the car could have been a winner, but was done after 27 laps when a part in the back of the car (Watts link) broke. Gordon had climbed from a last-place start to eighth when he left the 64-lap race race. "I was the only car that had already pitted," Gordon said. "I was good to go at that point. After everybody (else) pitted and we would have gone around, we would have been in the lead. "What a bummer that we broke that. It was fun." Gordon's satisfaction with the ride was a small consolation for the team, which was still disheartened by the absence of Ruzbarsky, who was taken by ambulance to the hospital after suddenly doubling over in pain. Said Jess: "I really appreciated Robby for driving it. He complimented us on the car and asked if he could drive it next year. It was that good. He said he wasn't even driving it that hard. He was just cruising. We felt we really had something for them. You know, stuff happens."

Prayers and Support For Rick Ruzbarsky

• rashawn
  why you get a surgey that years.I want to know about that.
• Mackenzie
  Hi rick I know you got sick remeber i go to see you.And i saw your face is white that you sick rick got wish soon 51 coming soon. Mackenzie
• Mackenzie
  HI Rick, I I am sorry you year you got a surgey in summer. I was in Georgia that i moved. I miss you!! Love, Mackenzie
• Don Englishbee/ englishbeecreations@yahoo.com
  Hey you old salty bastard!!!Check you out man. Livin your dream. I don't know what made me look you up except I had a dream about your ass. You are definately an inspiration Rick, I'm very proud of you man. So what's with this hospital crap anyway, suck it up and get back in the game you big baby!!!
• Don Englishbee
  Hey you old salty bastard!!!Check you out man. Livin your dream. I don't know what made me look you up except I had a dream about your ass. You are definately an inspiration Rick, I'm very proud of you man. So what's with this hospital crap anyway, suck it up and get back in the game baby!!!
• Greg Leonard & TEAM 32 of Leonard Motorsports
  Rick, hope you're feeling better. I was really sorry to hear about it. You're one hell of a guy and I hope to see you back at the track soon!
• Dean&Debbie Gray
  from all of the saftey crew at ARP our best wishes and prayers are with you and your family get back to racing soon we miss you.Just remenber go fast turn left and watch out for the saftey cew
• Mike Hoffman #98 Legends Car
  Get well soon, keep your positive attitude and go get'em next time, Im waiting to see you in a legends soon. Best Regards, Mike Hoffman
• Samantha Ruzbarsky
  Rick asked me to send this to everyone since he is still in the hospital: It's Thursday the 26th and I just finished reading the article and everyone's messages. I wanted to make sure and thank everyone for the messages, they are very uplifting, and I appriciate them all. I look forward to seeing everyone back at the race track as soon as they will let me out of here. I told them I only wanted a gas and go so I could get back to racing, but they wanted to lift the hood change four tires and check the toe. All kidding aside once I can hold food down they will let me go. I am looking forward to trying to go to Madera this weekend, or at least to Stockton to watch Jeremy run in his 1st legend race at Stockton 99. My #1 goal is to get back to racing in the SRL division as quickly as I can. Thanks again for your messages, they really mean a lot to me.
• ARP fan
  I would like someone to take a picture of you strapped to a hospital bed, and put it on Jess web site. I can't visualize it. You are 150mph any time I've seen you, or talked to you, on the track or at the track, SRL-SLM-SMT, or just around town. Get well soon Rick, I wish you, Sam, and fam. the best. W.F.O.
• Rick Erickson/ Wickedwheelz.net SS#42
  Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I know that you will make a full recovery. Remember like you told me if you spin out just keep your foot in the gas and spin all the away around. Well just keep your foot in it and you will come around. Get well soon. I look forward to see you at the track soon.
• Plumley Family / plumley@y-comm.com
  Rick, glad to see you living your dream. You have always been in our thoughts. Get well soon buddy. Can't wait to see you go WFO!
• Jeremy Wood/ WOOD Racing
  Our thoughts and prayers are sent out for you, Samantha, and the JESS Motorsports team. You were looking forward to this race, and you worked so hard to get where u were. In both that race and in the SRL series. We all wish you a speedy recovery, and cant wait to watch you again.
• Joshua Laughton - #51's #1 Fan
  Get Well Soon Rick, Your a great guy and a great race car drive.
• Fowler Motorsports / SWT #71
  Our thoughts & prayers are with you! One of crew members had this same thing happen on Christmas Eve. You'll bounce back sooner then you think! See ya Soon!!
• Mark Reglin/Team 32
  Rick I wish you the best and hope for your speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing you behind the wheel of the 51 real soon. Get well buddy!!!!
• Stratmeyer Racing Crew
  Rick, we will miss you on the track. Take care of yourself and get well soon. We hope to see you on the track before the end of the year.
• Carrie Patton www.carriepatton.net
  Get Well im sure it will be hard to miss these races, but get well the right way so your back quicker!
• Kristi Schmitt/ Kristi Schmitt Racing
  Rick, get better soon. You are in our prayers and we will miss you at the race track. We wish you a fast recovery.
• Steve Fensler
  Get well quick Rick. The whole SRL Late Model Series is there with you. We need that smile of yours back at the tracks.
• Turtle - Righetti Ent.
  Get back in the seat as soon as you can, in the mean time I wish you a quick painless recovery.
• Colleen
  You are in my prayers and thoughts. Get well soon. I hope to see you out at the track soon. Take care
• Merenda & Sons/mmsturgeon@aol.com
  Well, you have 7 inches and a few lbs less in ya. =) Take all the time you need. Don't rush it. You'll be back in the car in no time. Dylan says: "Get well soon. I want another new hat so you better take care"! That's a kid for ya. Prayers n luv~ Us
• Tim Bost / aol rcn35
  My sincere prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery to you Rick Ruzbarsky and the entire family & the Jess motorsports racing team. I was proud to see a fellow competitor of S.R.L attempting to run the S.W.T race @Sears Point , better luck next time. Get well soon so we can get after it on the track again! Tim Bost SRL#35
• Eddie Alves http://www.srllatemodels.com
  Rick, Take care buddy! We can’t wait to see you back on the track. Wish you a speedy recovery. Hope to see you behind the wheel soon.
• Udo Richter / MUD-Racing.net
  I hope you get better soon Rick, It never crossed my mind at the track saturday that it was bad. Thanks for flying our decals this year, I was honored to have you as a MUD Driver.
• Brandon Whitt/CleanLine Motorsports and crew
  Get well soon. Hopefully it is just a bug and not something serious. You will be in our prayers.

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