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NASCAR Trucks: Joe Ruttman prepares for racing at Michigan

19 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Second Time Around: Joe Ruttman and the Dana Racing Team are hoping that this year's trip to Michigan Speedway with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will yield the same result, fifth place, that they earned last year. The team comes into the Michigan race hot off a dominating performance at Nazareth Speedway last week, that produced a second place finish. So everyone is looking for the same kind of run this week.

"There's no doubt that the finish last week helped build some momentum for this week, but this race is completely different," said Ruttman. "Just because we did good last week or last year, doesn't make us a shoe in for the same performance this year. It will be a fight on the track as usual."

Back in 1980, Ruttman won the first time he raced an Auto Racing Club of America (ARCA) car here. On that day, he started from the pole and led the most laps enroute to victory. Ruttman also has another start in 1985 in the ARCA series at Michigan, which produced a fifth place finish.

Top Five Starts: After Joe Ruttman and the Dana Team qualified on the pole last week, it marked their fourth consecutive top five start in a row and their eighth overall for the season.

Making a Visit: Joe Ruttman was very busy the first two days of the week, as he toured the Dana Corporate Headquarters and some of the related facilities in the area.

"It's good to be racing here in Michigan," said Ruttman. "This event gives us a chance to see what our sponsor thinks of their Truck Series involvement. It also gives them a chance to ask questions and get more involved with the program. This is always a plus."

Big Support for Dana Racing: On Saturday, July 22nd, over 1600 Dana Corporation employees and their families and friends will be in the Michigan Speedway grandstands cheering on Joe Ruttman and the No. 18 Dana Dodge. Dana's Merchandising Services Group brought these employees together from all over the United States and Canada.

Ruttman's Quotes for Michigan Speedway

"It's a big thrill for me to be racing trucks here at Michigan Speedway. I have a lot of history in the Detroit area and I've had some success at the track over the years. Another reason for being here with the Truck Series would obviously be that all the manufactures that support the Series are located just down the road in Detroit."

"I think initially my experience with the Winston Cup cars and the ARCA cars gave me an advantage last year, but after the first day, everyone else found out what it takes to go fast here. I'm pretty sure the race will be like all the races we put on with trucks, hard racing from beginning to end."

"Another good thing about coming back to race close to Detroit is that I lived here for a number of years. My brother (Jim) and I use to sell go-karts and motorcycles for years in the Detroit area. It also gives me a chance to say hi to friends I haven't seen for some time."

Text provided by David Pepper

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.