Johnny Rutherford (driver)
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| Born: | March 12, 1938 | |
| Birthplace: |  Coffeyville, Kansas |
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| Achievements: | — | |
| Awards: | 1974, 1976, and 1980 Indianapolis 500 champion
1993 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Inductee 1995 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inductee |
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| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 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 an official with the Indy Racing League, driving the pace car for all IRL races, except the ceremonial pace car during the start of the Indianapolis 500.
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, in the second 100-mile Daytona 500 qualifying race, made him one of the youngest drivers ever to win in NASCAR history, in a full points-paying NASCAR race. (Until 1971, the qualifying races were full points-paying races.) In 1981, Rutherford drove twelve races, the most he ever raced in a single NASCAR season. In addition, Rutherford competed in five 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 |
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