Joe Ruttman No. 18 Dana Dodge
Race Notes
Performance Record: Mesa Marin Raceway
Date Start/Finish Laps Status Winnings
4-22-95 10 8 125 of 125 Running $ 3,550
10-15-95 6 5 200 of 200 Running 4,800
10-13-96 2 3 300 of 300 Running 12,500
10-12-97 11 19 298 of 300 Running 6,200
10-18-98 6 13 299 of 300 Running 6,995
4-10-99 (DNC) 0 of 301 ---------- ------
3-26-00 7 16 248 of 250 Accident 8,271
Totals 1470 of 1776 (82.7%) $ 42,316
Topics of Interest
Hope to Finish This Year’s Race: Last year, Joe Ruttman and the Bobby Hamilton Dana Racing Team had the lead with five laps to go before contact from another truck sent the No. 18 truck spinning. The ensuing accident forced the team to finish in the 16th position.
“The deal in the final few laps last year was pretty hard on the guys,” said Ruttman. “They were awfully upset at the other team involved, but this time around, there is a whole new situation and most of the team has forgotten about it. The guys on this team know that the task at hand is to finish each and every week as high as we can, but sometimes that means playing it a little safe, like the last race.”
Ruttman had to back off toward the end of the Homestead race after the throttle stuck going into the third turn. Ruttman was able to save the truck from crashing, but the problem forced him to take it easy to the finish.
“We had a third place truck,” said Ruttman. “But the throttle stuck wide open and we ended up running out of gas at the end. Instead of having a top five finish, we finished ninth, but we still had a truck at the end and are still in the points race. That’s all you can hope for when it’s not your day. This week, we’ll be trying to win again as will everyone else, but if that doesn’t happen, you can bet we’ll finish in the top of the run down.”
Going With a Winner: Last year, the Bobby Hamilton Racing Team won four races. Three of those wins were with a truck named “Goober” and that is the truck of choice for Bakersfield.
“It’s a really good truck for the team,” said Ruttman. “It’s a proven winner, so we’ll see what we can do with it at Bakersfield. Hopefully, we can get win number two on the year.”
The three races that Goober went to victory lane in last year were at Martinsville Speedway with Bobby Hamilton, Chicago Speedway and Indianapolis Raceway Park with Ruttman.
Testing: Over the week off, the No. 18 Dana Team, along with the No. 8 Dodge Team, went to Nashville Speedway USA to test for Bakersfield. Each track is very similar to the other, so it seemed like a nature place to go to shake down both trucks. Ruttman, Willy T. Ribbs, and Bobby Hamilton all took turns in the trucks during the test. “I think I speak for both Willy and myself when I say it’s great to have a car owner that is also your test driver,” said Ruttman. “It just gives us that much more knowledge behind us.”
Ruttman’s Quotes
“ Last week was a tough deal with the throttle and then the fuel, but when it’s not your day, it’s not your day. But Bakersfield is a whole different animal. It’s fast and tight, and it’s no place for people who don’t like to beat and bang a little.”
“It’s always fun to get out to the Southern California area so I can see a few of my friends that are still out there. Hopefully, we’ll have a bunch of folks to cheer for the team.”
Joe Ruttman’s 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Event Results
Location Start Finish Laps Status Money Won
Daytona 1 1 104 of 104 Running $ 94,310
Homestead 5 9 166 of 167 Running 13,425
Bakersfield (Next Event)
Totals 270 of 271 (99.6%) $ 107,735
