Dont be surprised to see Jim Inglebright break his career best finish this weekend at the Gateway International Raceway. Since finishing 15th in Bakersfield, Calif., Inglebright has tested twice; once in a truck and the other in a Southwest tour car. The Fairfield, Calif. native spent two days testing at the Irwindale Speedway gaining critical seat time in his #02 Jelly Belly Chevrolet. Inglebright, along with the entire Roadrunner Motorsports Inc crew have devoted countless hours toward preparing for this race. It was the first time Ive ever tested in a truck, said Inglebright. I needed the seat time real bad. I have to admit I was at a great advantage. Rick Carelli flew in to help me out! Carelli, a former driver for Phelon Motorsports on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series brings many years of experience and knowledge racing trucks. He was recently released from his driving duties when Phelon Motorsports closed its doors due to lack of sponsorship. Rodney Haygood, crew chief for the #02 Jelly Belly Chevrolet is no stranger to Carellis presence. Both Carelli and Haygood have worked together in the past, producing two truck series wins in 1999. Between the two, Inglebright has learned a lot about the truck. Inglebright is not the only one preparing for this weekends race. The pit crew has been practicing pit stops and developing strategies the past few weeks. They put forth a great effort at the Mesa Marin Raceway earlier in March as pit strategy and quick pit stops placed Inglebright as high as second before a cut tire forced him to pit. The 39-year-old Southwest Tour veteran is excited to get back to racing. Inglebright, in particular, is looking forward to the Pikes Peak race in Fountain, Colo., where the Jelly Belly Candy Co. will sponsor the truck race.(Roadrunner Motorsports PR)(5-4-2001)
