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NASCAR Trucks: Joe Ruttman Races to New Contract for 2001

10 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Lebanon, Tennessee- Last Thursday at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Joe Ruttman was strapping into the No.18 Dana truck when Bobby Hamilton leaned into the window and told Ruttman if he won the race, he would get a new contract for 2001. Well, with that challenge, Ruttman was off and running. Ruttman led 143 of the 200 laps run, enroute to victory lane and a new contract.

This morning it became official. Veteran racer Joe Ruttman signed a one-year contract to remain the driver of the familiar blue and white No. 18 Dana Dodge on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the 2001 season. Ruttman, who has been driving for the Lebanon, Tennessee based team since June of 1999, is second in career Truck Series starts with 134. During this time, he has earned 12 poles, 10 wins, 53 top 5, and 86 top 10 finishes in his NASCAR Truck Series career. Ruttman is also third in career earnings with $ 2,243,145.

"This will definitely take some of the pressure off for next year," said Ruttman. "This is a great team and I'm very happy to get the opportunity to race for an owner like Bobby (Hamilton) and a sponsor like Dana Corporation. They have been very good to me and without that phone call a year and a half ago, I may have been out of racing. It's been great and I can't wait to race the rest of this year and next. I'm sure we're going to win a bunch of races together."

In 34 starts for Ruttman in the Dana Dodge, he has seven poles, two wins, nine top fives, and 16 top 10 finishes.

"I guess I should have talked a little more to Joe about the money before I made the promise to him last week," said Bobby Hamilton, Team Owner. "I'm sure I'll have to give him a raise, but I guess the old guy is worth it. We've been very happy with what Joe has done for the team and how well he represents the sponsor. The next step for this team in the next year and a half is to win more races obviously, but I feel like with the right additions over the winter, the Dana Team can contend for the title next year."

Hamilton went on to say, "The biggest thing about getting Joe resigned is now our driver and our sponsor are both coming back next year and it's only August. Now we'll have a lot of time to plan for next year and beyond."

Entering the Federated Auto Parts 250 at Nashville Speedway USA, Ruttman and the Dana Team sit ninth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings.

"Joe has been great for Dana Corporation," said Armedee Nadeau, Manager of Dana Motorsports. "Joe joined us a little over a year ago and since then, has driven the wheels off the Dana truck. He got us our first win in the Truck Series earlier this year and last week won again. So we're all very happy to see him coming back next year for more success."

The 2001 season will be Dana Corporation's third year with Bobby Hamilton Racing and the company's sixth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Text provided by David Pepper

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