Old School Racing

Joe is scheduled to run in the Old School Racing Champion's Tour in 2008!

For more information on the series, please visit Old School Racing.

Photos from the Nashville race are posted.

Cup racing for over 41 years?

Did you know that Joe ran his first Cup race in 1963? He finished 10th. He has been in Cup races in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's. He has also raced in Cup, Busch, ARCA, and the Craftsman Truck Series. He is also a USAC Champion.....

A Surprise Entry

Ruttman was presented with an opportunity to run in the ACRA race at Chicagoland this past weekend.

After qualifying in the fourth position with hopes of his 4th ARCA victory, Ruttman had to settle for a 19th place finish after the engine dropped a valve.


Joe and Toyota

ASHEBORO, N.C. (Aug. 28, 2003) - The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota Tundra race truck, which will make its racing debut in February 2004 at Daytona, ran its initial test yesterday at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C.

The historic session was the first for the manufacturer since it officially submitted the truck to NASCAR in July. Veteran racer Joe Ruttman handled the driving duties at the 0.455-mile oval.
"It was another significant step in the truck program's progression," said Jim Aust, vice president of Motorsports at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., and president and CEO of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) U.S.A. "For Toyota, it is a special day as we prepare for the Tundra's debut at Daytona next February. It is a rewarding moment for those who have worked on the truck program over the last year."


The test was conducted to learn the Tundra race truck's basic characteristics, evaluate systems, and gain first impressions on down force and balance.

"It's really an honor to be first to climb behind the wheel of the Tundra," said Ruttman, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck veteran since the series' inception in 1995. "For being its first time on the track, I was really impressed with the truck's performance. It hit as close to the mark as any new race vehicle could hope to achieve for a first test. I'm really looking forward to experiencing the truck's learning curve and contributing to its progression."

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota Tundra will continue testing throughout the fall in preparation for the 2004 season.
Reprinted courtesy of Toyota Motorsports.

Toyota and Tundra are registered tradmarks of the Toytoa Motor Company.

Photos

Photos from the

If you are working on a family tree (Ritterhouse or Ruttman side), we would be glad to pass on the little information we have. (And any information you have would be greatly appreciated)

Note - If you have family you can trace back to Woodward, Oklahoma, the Plains Indians and Pioneer Historical Foundation put together two books about the families from that area. It is a great resource.

Message Board

We now have a Joe Ruttman message board. To enter, just click on the picture below!

Live Chat Room

Now it's your turn to ask Joe the questions! Check back very soon for the schedule!

A Race Ended Early

Joe started the race from the 25th position. But an early altercation with Coy Gibbs ended the day for the FDNY Ground Zero Chevy.

"I was hoping for a great run for the FDNY," Joe said. "I am disappointed because I think we might have had something for them today," he added.

Note - Joe is still looking for a ride for the remainder of the season.

Jim Rosenblum Racing is proud to announce that “Chief” Joe Ruttman will be driving the FDNY(Fire Department New York)

Darlington

 Racing team Ground Zero #28 Truck at Darlington for the Craftsman Anniversary 200 on March 15, 2002.

Ruttman, who is currently number four in the points standings, gives an added dimension of competitiveness to Jim Rosenblum Racing’s Campaign. The “Ground Zero” #28 Truck will raise funds for the FDNY Widows and Children's Fund.

Ruttman - “I am looking forward to Darlington, and I’m especially enthusiastic to offer my support to the World’s number one Fire Department, FDNY, and the Widows and
Children’s Fund through America’s number one sport.. NASCAR racing.”

The Ground Zero #28 truck will also be displaying an honor for fireman Joshua Earley, the first to die in the line of duty in Charlotte, N.C. since 1934.

Joe Finishes 4th

After leading and running in the top 5 for most of the day, Joe brings the Obee's Dodge home in 4th! It was an awesome run for a new team.

"I have a lot of people to thank. I want to thank Jim Patrick (Obee's President) for stepping up when we needed him.

And I want to thank Rodney Smith for putting this team together. They did an outstanding job. I also have to thank the Dr. Pepper crew for pitting the truck. Those guys had fast pitstops, and that kept me in the hunt.

Really, everything was a miracle the way it worked out. I was talking with Mr. Patrick and we agreed that it was fate, or maybe more than that - maybe it was meant to be." Joe said with a smile.



Joe and Jim Patrick (Obee's President) after Daytona



Joe and Mr. Patrick on pitroad after the race


Thank you to Truckseries.com for the pictures (above)





Thank you to Duke Williams for the pictures!



Note - The truck Joe is driving was made for short tracks and not superspeedways. But because the team does not have a superspeedway truck, they are attempting to show how "Super" a short track truck can be!

• Photos from past Races

  To see photos from the Indy race, click here.
  
  To see photos from the Chicago race, click here.
  
  To see photos from the Busch race in Kentucky, click here.
  We will be adding more soon!
  
  
  

  Joe's Harley

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Birthday & Anniversary Wishes!!

  We wanted to extend a "Happy Birthday" to our friends!
  
  January
  Carolyn Ruttman
  Natalie Almond
  Earl Owens
  Linda Almond
  
  February
  Maylin Ruttman - Joe's granddaughter
  Jeff Almond
  Randi Williams
  
  March
  Mimi Lampane
  Mike Fulks
  
  April
  Beth Flachsmann
  
  May
  Marvin Thompson
  Tom Williams
  Nicki Ruttman (Joe's Youngest daughter)
  
  June
  Alexa Almond - Joe's granddaughter
  Clara Ruttman - Troy Ruttman's wife
  
  July
  Vanessa Stewart
  Barry Lory
  Alan Martin
  Melanie Gherardini
  John Arcese
  Jim Flachsmann
  Joe Gherardini
  
  August
  Timmy Hartsell
  
  September
  Wayne Buie
  

• I Finally Have One Again!

  
  
  Joe and his new Mini Cooper.
  
  
  Joe has been looking for a Mini Cooper for over 20 years. He originally had one in the 60's.
  
  

  Sites to Visit
  
  Compassion
  
  
  

  Have Joe Speak at Your corporate Event!

  To contact Joe about personal appearances or speaking engagements, please use the email link below.