NASCAR Trucks: Joe Ruttman enjoys second anniversary with Bobby Hamilton at Texas
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 5, 2001
Second Anniversary: Two years ago, Joe Ruttman had just received the phone call from Bobby Hamilton to drive the No. 18 Dana Dodge at Texas Motor Speedway in a one-race deal. Now two years, five wins, and ten pole positions, later the relationship has developed into one of the championship contending dues in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
"I can't tell you how much the last two years has meant to me," said Ruttman. "I thought I was out of racing until I got that phone call from Bobby (Hamilton). At the time, he said it was just for one race, but after the plane ride with the guys to the race, I knew that we could win together. I think Bobby could see that also or he would have never kept the team and myself intact. Thank goodness we have proved him right by winning."
Ruttman went on the say, "I've had a lot of owners over the years, but Hamilton is one of the best. He has a way of finding good people and putting them in a situation that they can be winners."
During the two years that Ruttman has driven for Bobby Hamilton Racing, he has amassed 48 starts, 10 poles, five wins, 17 top five, and 27 top ten finishes. "We have been working on Rudolph for over a year now to get it where we want as far as chassis goes," said Ruttman. "Sometimes when you build a new truck, it just takes a little time before you have all the bugs worked out. That has been the case with this truck. This just may be the race it shows what it's made of."
Testing: After the recent rule changes to the Dodges, the Bobby Hamilton Racing Dana Team participated in a factory test at the Atlanta Motor Speedway last week to see what, if, any problems they might have on the speedways like Texas. Hopes are very high that the teams found a few things that will make the loss of down force less of an issue.
Ruttman's Quote
"We have always struggled here at Texas. I'm just not sure why, but we have just missed the setup here the last few times out. When the season began, we looked at two racetracks that would give us a problem. They were Texas and Dover. We got out of Dover last week with an eighth place finish. Hopefully, we can get a solid finish this week and then we'll feel a little better about our chances this year."
Text provided by David Pepper
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery .