Thanks for another great video. Years ago I raced a few pavement races in OH and Joe Ruttman was in my heat race. JVC chassis car. It still amazes me how fearless these drivers were, but many had just returned from WWII. Nuff'said.......
I was a regular attendee at Ascot park through the 70s and 80s. One could not spend time there without developing a lot of love and respect for the entire Agajanian family. They have supported so many drivers of sprints and midgets, and still do to this day. .
Well said on the Agajanian family; thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I remember watching the great Dean Thompson thunder to victory lane at Ascot in the CRA league...great memories. That track was badass...HMM
Being a central Indiana native and lifelong racing fan, it’s impossible to NOT love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 500 and the brave men who ran those old roadsters on the ragged edge. NO man that was ever given the bottle of milk and their own copy of the Borg-Warner trophy had that victory “handed” to them. They earned it, blood sweat and tears alike.
Troy was my first racing hero, I was born in 1952, I believe it was 56 or 57 he came to the Pomona 1/4 midget track for a day of racing, through the years when they would come to Ascot he was the one I wanted to win. Great story Don.👍
I was born in 65 and your brother was my first racing hero. Nicest guy ever, would sit in his cars at ASCOT and he would autograph my program every time.
@@toddyruttman8693 Your pops autographed a picture for me in the early 90's. I worked in the San Gabriel Valley and met Louie Meyer's nephew (Tommy Francis) and he got your dad to sign the picture. Tommy also got me tickets to "Gilmore Roars Again", a gathering of historic racers in Los Angeles where the old gilmore stadium was, "The Grove" Farmers Market is there now.
A real nice interview with Toddy. (I cheated by Googling to confirm what I thought I heard during the interview.) I've only been on your channel for a couple of months but find that you are able to get some great interviews. The other day I was thinking that your channel might get a little quieter after the end of the racing season. Whether or not that happens, I plan to go back and start watching your videos from the beginning.
Troy Ruttman was perhaps the greatest naturally gifted race driver this country ever produced! The only ones that come even close are Jimmy Murphy, Frank Lockhart, and Bill Vukovich. To demonstrate his greatness after his arm injury, one only has to look at his drive in the 1954 Indy 500. After chasing the leaders all day, he blows the right rear tire, saves the car, controlling the spin, limps into the pits, has a lengthy pit stop and still finishes 4th!
Great stuff here Don. Some videos, I just have to tune everything out, put my headphones on....and concentrate on the material. This was one such video. So much here. What an era. Can't even believe they raced so unprotected. Troy and his crew chief had a winning strategy at Indy. Amazing. And the parade wreck at Cedar Lake. Who would have thought it would take Troy out for 1.5 years. I pulled up all of Troy's races. He never returned to that track. Today it's called Hawkeye Downs, and yes those railroad tracks are still there. Just for kicks, I pulled up Columbus Motor Speedway and Powell Motor Speedway here in central Ohio. Troy never raced on those tracks. I figured that would be the case due to the timeframe, but I still wanted to check. Now I need to go back and watch your July Ruttman video. I'm in the process of going back and watching all your videos. I learn so much from them Don. Thanks for producing this video. Especially enjoyed the first hand comments from his daughter!
You're welcome Chuck. I wish more people would have watching the Ruttman videos, but I still enjoyed them the way you did. Those pioneers amazing me to no end. HMM
Ruttman was a beast behind the wheel. Lapped the field early on at Langhorne in 1950. Because of the sweltering heat and humidity he stopped for a relief driver. He had built such a big lead that Walt Brown (relief) was back in front just a few laps later against cars that didn't stop. They didn't win, but man what a display on one of the toughest tracks ever!
I loved this interview. It is nice to hear the truth that the 52 Indy 500 was not handed to him. That's all you hear through the years. Hear that about many drivers that they only won because of someones misfortune. They say the same about Foyt with 3 of his Indy wins. But sometimes just being in the right place is all you need to be. Thanks again for another great video.
Mystery man you are steeped in racing history my friend 😊
Yeah...the history...it's what I love most about racing. Thanks again, David. HMM
What a story! It's hard to imagine where the sport of auto racing, would be, were it not for men like Ruttman.
Thanks as always!
You're welcome Robert; glad to hear from you again...HMM
Great stories of Troy Ruttman,,,HMM . Thanks again
You're welcome Barry; thanks for watching...HMM
Awesome what a legend a real racer from way back Great story
Thanks low rider! HMM
Thanks for another great video. Years ago I raced a few pavement races in OH and Joe Ruttman was in my heat race. JVC chassis car. It still amazes me how fearless these drivers were, but many had just returned from WWII. Nuff'said.......
No doubt. Coming home from WWII, racing probably seemed like a cake walk for these early racing pioneers. Thanks for watching...HMM
The in depth interview with his daughter is priceless.
So many thanks! HMM
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I was a regular attendee at Ascot park through the 70s and 80s. One could not spend time there without developing a lot of love and respect for the entire Agajanian family. They have supported so many drivers of sprints and midgets, and still do to this day. .
Well said on the Agajanian family; thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I remember watching the great Dean Thompson thunder to victory lane at Ascot in the CRA league...great memories. That track was badass...HMM
Being a central Indiana native and lifelong racing fan, it’s impossible to NOT love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 500 and the brave men who ran those old roadsters on the ragged edge. NO man that was ever given the bottle of milk and their own copy of the Borg-Warner trophy had that victory “handed” to them. They earned it, blood sweat and tears alike.
Man I like the way your just explained all that. Could not say it better. Thanks again, bowslap! HMM
Loved it!!
Thanks again, greg...HMM
Troy was my first racing hero, I was born in 1952, I believe it was 56 or 57 he came to the Pomona 1/4 midget track for a day of racing, through the years when they would come to Ascot he was the one I wanted to win. Great story Don.👍
It was my pleasure to share the real story with you. 👍
Thanks Greg. Troy was amazing...HMM
I was born in 65 and your brother was my first racing hero. Nicest guy ever, would sit in his cars at ASCOT and he would autograph my program every time.
@@toddyruttman8693 Your pops autographed a picture for me in the early 90's. I worked in the San Gabriel Valley and met Louie Meyer's nephew (Tommy Francis) and he got your dad to sign the picture. Tommy also got me tickets to "Gilmore Roars Again", a gathering of historic racers in Los Angeles where the old gilmore stadium was, "The Grove" Farmers Market is there now.
Thanks for sharing!
Love this video and photos from the 50's
A great story!!!
Thank you HMM.
You got it Roger; thanks again! HMM
Man Don the first films were awesome. I love hearing her talk about (My Dad) so cool. Ron
You're welcome Ron...thanks again! HMM
My Dad, my hero!
@@toddyruttman8693 So cool.
A real nice interview with Toddy. (I cheated by Googling to confirm what I thought I heard during the interview.) I've only been on your channel for a couple of months but find that you are able to get some great interviews. The other day I was thinking that your channel might get a little quieter after the end of the racing season. Whether or not that happens, I plan to go back and start watching your videos from the beginning.
Thanks for your support Ron J; I appreciate all of it. HMM
Hey Don I just seen grandfather marcum in that video.
Indeed you did...good eye...in Victory Lane at Salem Speedway...Chalk up one MARC/ARCA win on the Salem High-Banks for Rutt...
Great video!!! Did they ever race the track featured in lost speedways I think the called it the jungle?
Yes...as I understand it...Troy raced at Jungle Park. Thanks Donald...HMM
Troy Ruttman was perhaps the greatest naturally gifted race driver this country ever produced! The only ones that come even close are Jimmy Murphy, Frank Lockhart, and Bill Vukovich. To demonstrate his greatness after his arm injury, one only has to look at his drive in the 1954 Indy 500. After chasing the leaders all day, he blows the right rear tire, saves the car, controlling the spin, limps into the pits, has a lengthy pit stop and still finishes 4th!
Amazing story on Ruttman; thanks for sharing that here. HMM
Great stuff here Don. Some videos, I just have to tune everything out, put my headphones on....and concentrate on the material. This was one such video. So much here. What an era. Can't even believe they raced so unprotected. Troy and his crew chief had a winning strategy at Indy. Amazing. And the parade wreck at Cedar Lake. Who would have thought it would take Troy out for 1.5 years.
I pulled up all of Troy's races. He never returned to that track. Today it's called Hawkeye Downs, and yes those railroad tracks are still there. Just for kicks, I pulled up Columbus Motor Speedway and Powell Motor Speedway here in central Ohio. Troy never raced on those tracks. I figured that would be the case due to the timeframe, but I still wanted to check.
Now I need to go back and watch your July Ruttman video. I'm in the process of going back and watching all your videos. I learn so much from them Don. Thanks for producing this video. Especially enjoyed the first hand comments from his daughter!
You're welcome Chuck. I wish more people would have watching the Ruttman videos, but I still enjoyed them the way you did. Those pioneers amazing me to no end. HMM
It is my pleasure to tell the true story how it really happened.
Great to hear you enjoy hearing my Dad's story.
Don does an amazing job
@@toddyruttman8693 Yes Don does a great job. I really enjoy his channel.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!👍🏁
Ruttman was a beast behind the wheel. Lapped the field early on at Langhorne in 1950. Because of the sweltering heat and humidity he stopped for a relief driver. He had built such a big lead that Walt Brown (relief) was back in front just a few laps later against cars that didn't stop. They didn't win, but man what a display on one of the toughest tracks ever!
Did not know this story; thanks for sharing it here! HMM
Thanks for sharing.
I loved this interview. It is nice to hear the truth that the 52 Indy 500 was not handed to him. That's all you hear through the years. Hear that about many drivers that they only won because of someones misfortune. They say the same about Foyt with 3 of his Indy wins. But sometimes just being in the right place is all you need to be. Thanks again for another great video.
You're always welcome Jeff; thanks for your continued support...HMM
I'm very happy to share the "real story" with you!
This is when racedrivers were real tough and brave.
You can say that again, David...thanks! HMM
They sure don't make em like that anymore.
You can say that again. Thanks Bill...HMM
No, they certainly don't!
Now that is some real racing history. Great job, just got two things to say. Rick Ferkel, and Lancaster..... just kidding you.
Ha! Keep saying it. I'm trying to figure out how to get in touch with Ferkel. Thanks...HMM