Johnny Rutherford
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Born: | March 12, 1938 (age 69) | |
Birthplace: | Ft. Worth, Texas | |
Awards: | 1974, 1976 Indianapolis 500, and 1980 Indy 500 champion
1993 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Inductee 1995 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inductee |
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NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Statistics | ||
35 races run over 12 years. | ||
Best Cup Position: | 33rd - 1981 (Winston Cup) | |
First Race: | 1963 Daytona Qualifier #2 (Daytona) | |
Last Race: | 1988 Checker 500 (Phoenix) | |
First Win: | 1963 Daytona Qualifier #2 (Daytona) | |
Last Win: | 1963 Daytona Qualifier #2 (Daytona) | |
Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
1 | 5 | 5 |
John (Johnny) Sherman Rutherford, III (born March 12, 1938 in Coffeyville, Kansas) is a retired U.S. automobile racer.
The Texas-raised "Lonestar J.R." is one of eight drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times: in 1974, 1976, and 1980. The others are Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose (credited with only two by official speedway records), A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, and Rick Mears. Rutherford also won three poles at the 500, in the years 1973, 1976, and 1980. He retired from racing before the start of the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and now serves as a driver expert on the Indy 500 radio network every May.
Rutherford also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Winston Cup starts from 1963 to 1988. Rutherford won in his first start, at Daytona International Speedway driving for Smokey Yunick. The win was for the second 125-mile qualifying race (see Gatorade Duel), which was, at the time, a points-paying NASCAR race. In 1981, Rutherford drove twelve races, the most he ever raced in a single NASCAR season. In addition, Rutherford competed in 5 editions of the International Race of Champions -- 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1984.
Johnny Rutherford was the Honorary Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2006.
[edit] Awards
- He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996.
- He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1995.
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993.
[edit] Indy 500 results
Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | Watson | Offy | 26th | 29th |
1964 | Watson | Offy | 15th | 27th |
1965 | Halibrand | Ford | 11th | 31st |
1967 | Eagle | Ford | 19th | 25th |
1968 | Eagle | Ford | 21st | 18th |
1969 | Eagle | Offy | 17th | 29th |
1970 | Eagle | Offy | 2nd | 18th |
1971 | Eagle | Offy | 24th | 18th |
1972 | Brabham | Offy | 8th | 27th |
1973 | McLaren | Offy | 1st | 9th |
1974 | McLaren | Offy | 25th | 1st |
1975 | McLaren | Offy | 7th | 2nd |
1976 | McLaren | Offy | 1st | 1st |
1977 | McLaren | Cosworth | 17th | 33rd |
1978 | McLaren | Cosworth | 4th | 13th |
1979 | McLaren | Cosworth | 8th | 18th |
1980 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 1st | 1st |
1981 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 5th | 32nd |
1982 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 12th | 8th |
1983 | Wildcat | Cosworth | Practice Crash | |
1984 | March | Cosworth | 30th | 22nd |
1985 | March | Cosworth | 30th | 6th |
1986 | March | Cosworth | 12th | 8th |
1987 | March | Cosworth | 8th | 11th |
1988 | Lola | Buick | 30th | 22nd |
1989 | Lola | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
1990 | Lola | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
1992 | Lola | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify |
[edit] External links
Preceded by Gordon Johncock |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1974 |
Succeeded by Bobby Unser |
Preceded by Bobby Unser |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1976 |
Succeeded by A. J. Foyt |
Preceded by Rick Mears |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1980 |
Succeeded by Bobby Unser |
Preceded by Rick Mears |
CART Series Champion 1980 |
Succeeded by Rick Mears |
Indianapolis 500 Winners |
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Four-time winners A. J. Foyt • Al Unser, Sr. • Rick Mears Three-time winners Two-time winners One win |
Categories: United States auto racing biography stubs | 1938 births | American racecar drivers | NASCAR drivers | Champ Car drivers | Indy 500 drivers | Indy 500 pole-sitters | Indy 500 winners | International Motorsports Hall of Fame | International Race of Champions drivers | Living people | National Sprint Car Hall of Fame | People from Fort Worth