SONOMA -- 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 pre race 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."