Johnny Rutherford

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Indy 500 results
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish
1963 Watson Offy 26th 29th
1964 Watson Offy 15th 27th
1965 Halibrand Ford 11th 31st
1967 Eagle Ford 19th 25th
1968 Eagle Ford 21st 18th
1969 Eagle Offy 17th 29th
1970 Eagle Offy 2nd 18th
1971 Eagle Offy 24th 18th
1972 Brabham Offy 8th 27th
1973 McLaren Offy 1st 9th
1974 McLaren Offy 25th 1st
1975 McLaren Offy 7th 2nd
1976 McLaren Offy 1st 1st
1977 McLaren Cosworth 17th 33rd
1978 McLaren Cosworth 4th 13th
1979 McLaren Cosworth 8th 18th
1980 Chaparral Cosworth 1st 1st
1981 Chaparral Cosworth 5th 32nd
1982 Chaparral Cosworth 12th 8th
1983 Wildcat Cosworth Practice Crash
1984 March Cosworth 30th 22nd
1985 March Cosworth 30th 6th
1986 March Cosworth 12th 8th
1987 March Cosworth 8th 11th
1988 Lola Buick 30th 22nd
1989 Lola Cosworth Failed to Qualify
1990 Lola Cosworth Failed to Qualify
1992 Lola Chevrolet Failed to Qualify


John (Johnny) Sherman Rutherford, III (born March 12, 1938 in Coffeyville, Kansas) is a retired U.S. automobile racer.

The Texas-raised "Lonestar J.R." is one of eight drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times: in 1974, 1976, and 1980. The others are Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose (credited with only two by official speedway records), A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, and Rick Mears. Rutherford also won three poles at the 500, in the years 1973, 1976, and 1980. He retired from racing before the start of the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and now serves as a driver expert on the Indy 500 radio network every May.

Rutherford also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Winston Cup starts from 1963 to 1988. Rutherford won in his first start, at Daytona International Speedway driving for Smokey Yunick. The win was for the second 125-mile qualifying race (see Gatorade Duel), which was, at the time, a points-paying NASCAR race. In 1981, Rutherford drove twelve races, the most he ever raced in a single NASCAR season. In addition, Rutherford competed in 5 editions of the International Race of Champions -- 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1984.

Johnny Rutherford was the Honorary Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2006.

Awards


External links


Indianapolis 500 Winners
Four-time winners

A. J. FoytAl Unser, Sr.Rick Mears

Three-time winners

MeyerShawRoseRutherfordB. Unser

Two-time winners

MiltonVukovichWardJohncockFittipaldiLuyendykUnser, Jr.Castroneves

One win

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