AVONDALE, Arizona -- Jess Motorsports driver Rick Ruzbarsky opened the Grand National West season at Phoenix International Raceway for the return of the Copper World Classic. The #51 Hayward Pool Products/FaninTurn4.com/Crystal Pools Monte Carlo hit the famous one-mile track briefly Saturday for the first practice of the year. Unfortunately a broken lifter brought practice to an end after just five laps. Mother Nature unleashed a light show of her own, including hail, during the downpour that terminated the session for all of the drivers and made changing an engine an interesting project.
Sunday morning dawned cold and clear, the crew made a few minor adjustments and the Jess Motorsports team was one of six entrants to make a qualifying attempt on sticker tires – half of those teams returned to the garage with intimate knowledge of the Phoenix International Raceway wall. Ruzbarsky took to the track with little practice, a new engine and a bit of respect for the unknown. The first green flag lap brought a cheer from the crowd when new tires wouldn’t grip the cold track and sent the driver for an exciting ride out of turn two and down the backstretch. Ruzbarsky collected the Hayward Pool Products car and completed the second qualifying lap at just under 119 miles per hour.
The United Rentals 100 was a compliment to the teams by seeing just one car cause the lone short caution period early in the race. While the long green flag run was exciting for the fans to watch a few teams unexpectedly ran short on fuel, including Jess Motorsports and race leader Kevin Harvick.
“The Jess Motorsports team stepped up to the plate against all the adversity to put the Hayward Pool Products car on the track. While the results were disappointing, it was a great learning experience for the team and we anticipate being in contention for the remainder of the season.” said Ruzbarsky, “We’d like to thank Hayward Pool Products, Crystal Pools and FaninTurn4.com for their continued support.” Jess Motorsports looks forward to returning to the fastest half-mile in the west, Mesa Marin Raceway, where the team enjoyed a top-five qualifying effort in their first visit last year.
