Racing Legend Joe Ruttman Returns To Flat Rock For Moran Chevy/Stan Yee Memorial 150
Racing Legend Joe Ruttman Returns To Flat Rock For Moran Chevy/Stan Yee Memorial 150
Flat Rock, MI (6-8-09)-- The name Joe Ruttman will be familiar to race fans from the late 1960's, 70's and 80's in Midwest stock car racing circles. Ruttman was one of the top Late Model drivers, winning races at many tracks. And now, at the invitation of Stan Yee Jr., Joe will return to drive one of the Yee Late Models for the Moran Chevrolet/Stan Yee Memorial 150 at Flat Rock Speedway Saturday night, June 27.
Joe drove for Stan Yee Sr., piloting the #33 on both the dirt and asphalt. It was not uncommon to have the Yee/Ruttman combination win on the dirt and then the very next day win on the asphalt short tracks. And when the opportunity came for Ruttman to be a part of the race to honor the late Stan Yee Sr., Ruttman jumped at the chance.
"It's not very often that we get a chance to honor someone like Stan, who did so much for my career," stated Ruttman. "This is very special to me and I am looking forward to returning to Flat Rock."
Ruttman began his racing endeavors at Flat Rock Speedway in the 1960's and became a top talent, moving from the Late Model ranks to the national racing scene. Joe ran with ARCA, USAC and NASCAR, winning many touring series races over the span of 2 decades. Ruttman ended up on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit and ran up front. His last race at Flat Rock was in the mid 1990's and he was, what else, a winner, taking the victory in the ARCA RE/MAX Series race, using the unheard of third groove the entire event to grab the win.
The Ruttman family is steeped in tradition, as Joe's brother, Troy, was an Indianapolis 500 winner. His other brother, Jim, also raced in the area for several seasons.
Stan Sr. passed away in May of 2008. The inaugural Memorial event was held last July, with young Justin Schroeder scoring his first win in a Late Model. Schroeder is again entered for the June 27 event.
The 2009 edition of the Moran Chevrolet/Stan Yee Memorial 150 is the longest and richest race of the season at Flat Rock for the ARCA Late Models. The contest has become a favorite for both fans and drivers, with the extra laps providing excitement and drama. The race will award $2500 to the winner and $500 to start the event. A field of 25-35 Late Models is expected for the Saturday, June 27 race.
An open practice session is slated for Wednesday, June 24 at the track from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The time schedule for race day has the pits opening at 1 p.m., practice begins at 3, time trials are set for 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m. The front gates will open at 3. The track's Figure 8 and Street Stock classes will also be in action.
More details concerning the race and Ruttman will follow soon. For current information, check out the track's website at www.flatrockspeedway.com.
"It's not very often that we get a chance to honor someone like Stan, who did so much for my career," stated Ruttman. "This is very special to me and I am looking forward to returning to Flat Rock."
Ruttman began his racing endeavors at Flat Rock Speedway in the 1960's and became a top talent, moving from the Late Model ranks to the national racing scene. Joe ran with ARCA, USAC and NASCAR, winning many touring series races over the span of 2 decades. Ruttman ended up on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit and ran up front. His last race at Flat Rock was in the mid 1990's and he was, what else, a winner, taking the victory in the ARCA RE/MAX Series race, using the unheard of third groove the entire event to grab the win.
The Ruttman family is steeped in tradition, as Joe's brother, Troy, was an Indianapolis 500 winner. His other brother, Jim, also raced in the area for several seasons.
Stan Sr. passed away in May of 2008. The inaugural Memorial event was held last July, with young Justin Schroeder scoring his first win in a Late Model. Schroeder is again entered for the June 27 event.
The 2009 edition of the Moran Chevrolet/Stan Yee Memorial 150 is the longest and richest race of the season at Flat Rock for the ARCA Late Models. The contest has become a favorite for both fans and drivers, with the extra laps providing excitement and drama. The race will award $2500 to the winner and $500 to start the event. A field of 25-35 Late Models is expected for the Saturday, June 27 race.
An open practice session is slated for Wednesday, June 24 at the track from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The time schedule for race day has the pits opening at 1 p.m., practice begins at 3, time trials are set for 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m. The front gates will open at 3. The track's Figure 8 and Street Stock classes will also be in action.
More details concerning the race and Ruttman will follow soon. For current information, check out the track's website at www.flatrockspeedway.com.