(Fairfield, CA) - Jim Inglebright is thankful every time he is able to strap himself into the #02 Jelly Belly Chevrolet. He knows each lap he completes will better himself as a driver for the next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) event.
"It's been a steep learning curve," said Inglebright, who tested at Irwindale Speedway last month in the truck. "I need the seat time real bad. I've only driven the race truck nine times."
Inglebright and the Roadrunner Motorsports crew ran seven events last year posting a career best 15th-place finish at the California and Evergreen Speedways. So far this year Inglebright has tied his best career finish at the Mesa Marin Raceway. He hopes to rebound from a disappointing 29th at Gateway International Raceway after the brakes failed on his Chevrolet.
Inglebright should not be worried, however. This weekend marks a return visit to a familiar track, Pikes Peak International Raceway, where he has visited victory lane. The track also marks the first of five facilities Inglebright ran on the NCTS in 2000.
"We would like to get a top-15 finish," said Inglebright, winner of the inaugural RE/MAX Challenge Series event in 1998. "I'd be ecstatic to get a top ten. It would be like a win for me."
The Jelly Belly 200 marks a first for the Jelly Belly Candy Co. as it sponsors its first ever NCTS event.
"Jelly Belly has been a great sponsor and sponsoring the Pikes Peak race just proves how devoted they are to the sport," said the Fairfield, Calif. native, who finished 18th in last year's event. "I am very excited about this weekend. Jelly Belly and I are a team. We have developed a great working relationship and I enjoy being their ambassador in this sport."
Asked if the television audience will see Inglebright enjoying Jelly Belly beans during the race . . .
"Why of course," said Inglebright, whose favorite flavor is Juicy Pear.
"That's what keeps me energized."
