15 Facts About Joe Ruttman

Raymond Joseph Ruttman was born on October 28,1944 and is an American former stock car racing driver who competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series.

Joe Ruttman was the United States Automobile Club's 1978 USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year, and the 1980 USAC Series champion.

Joe Ruttman made his NASCAR Grand National Series debut in 1963 at Riverside International Raceway, finishing 10th at the Winston Western 500.

Joe Ruttman drove in three more Series races between 1964 and 1980, while racing local tracks in between.

Joe Ruttman caught a big break in 1981 when JD Stacy, who had just bought Rod Osterlund's team, hired him to take over for Dale Earnhardt, who left the team mid-season to join Richard Childress Racing.

Joe Ruttman went on to run a full Series schedule from 1982 through 1984,1986, and 1991.

Joe Ruttman came very close to winning a race at Richmond in 1982, but a late power-steering failure sent his car into the wall and gave Dave Marcis the victory.

Joe Ruttman picked up a runner-up finish at the same track, finishing 5 seconds behind Kyle Petty in 1986, although, had Ruttman not been collected in a final-lap accident, he would have actually won.

In 1995, Joe Ruttman competed in the inaugural NASCAR SuperTrucks Series, where he would finally reach his potential.

Joe Ruttman won his last race at age 56, making him the oldest race winner in any NASCAR division.

At Rockingham in 2004, Joe Ruttman made his first Cup Series start since 1995, driving a one-off race for Phoenix Racing.

Joe Ruttman contributed to an ongoing controversy by not showing up with a pit crew, and only coming to collect a small share of the prize money.

Joe Ruttman was ordered off the track by NASCAR after one lap and team owner James Finch was admonished by officials.

Joe Ruttman is the younger brother of Indianapolis 500 winner Troy Ruttman.

Joe Ruttman's father, Ralph "Butch" Ruttman, was an award-winning mechanic on top Indy teams.