Joe Ruttman Born In Upland, California - October 28, 1944

October 28, 1944

Joe Ruttman

Born in Upland, California, USA.

Ruttman is the younger brother of Indianapolis 500 winner Troy Ruttman. His father, Ralph "Butch" Ruttman, was an award winning mechanic on top Indy teams. He competed in NASCAR's Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Ruttman was the United States Automobile Club's 1978 USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year, and the 1980 USAC Series champion.

Ruttman made his NASCAR Grand National Series debut in 1963 at Riverside International Raceway, finishing 10th at the Winston Western 500. He drove in three more Series races between 1964 and 1980, while racing local tracks in between. Ruttman caught a big break in 1981 when J.D. 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. Ruttman went on to run a full Series schedule from 1982 through 1984, 1986, and 1991. His best season was in 1983, when he finished 12th in points. During his 20 years in the Sprint Cup Series he had 60 top-ten finishes and 19 top-fives. He 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.

In 1995 Ruttman competed in the first Craftsman Truck Series season, winning two races that year on his way to finishing second in the inaugural championship. His success as a full-time driver in the Truck Series continued as he went on to win 11 more races between 1996 and 2007.