Auto Race Car Driver. At age 22, he became the youngest driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1952. He was 6'4" tall and physically towered over most of his racing competitors. He had commensurate driving skills as well. He finished 4th in the 1954 Indianapolis 500. He led several of the 12 500s in which he participated, but was a frequent victim of mechanical failures. He is also remembered for his charge from 11th to 5th place on the first lap of the 1954 Classic. In the 1962 500, Ruttman started 30th, but was running in 2nd place just beyond the half-way mark, only to drop out due to equipment failure. Ruttman retired from racing following the tragedy filled 1964 Indianapolis 500. His son, Troy Jr., became a race car driver as well, but was tragically killed at the Pocono Speedway, Long Pond, PA in 1969 while driving the car his father drove from the 33rd starting spot to a 12th place finish in the 1963 Indianapolis 500. Ruttman was active in business for many years. He owned an automobile dealership in Dearborn, MI and later was an aircraft broker in Venice, FL. He had just moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ shortly before his death. He returned to his birthplace for burial in the same cemetery as his parents. Mooreland Cemetery, Mooreland, Oklahoma cause of death: lung cancer
Auto Race Car Driver. At age 22, he became the youngest driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1952. He was 6'4" tall and physically towered over most of his racing competitors. He had commensurate driving skills as well. He finished 4th in the 1954 Indianapolis 500. He led several of the 12 500s in which he participated, but was a frequent victim of mechanical failures. He is also remembered for his charge from 11th to 5th place on the first lap of the 1954 Classic. In the 1962 500, Ruttman started 30th, but was running in 2nd place just beyond the half-way mark, only to drop out due to equipment failure. Ruttman retired from racing following the tragedy filled 1964 Indianapolis 500. His son, Troy Jr., became a race car driver as well, but was tragically killed at the Pocono Speedway, Long Pond, PA in 1969 while driving the car his father drove from the 33rd starting spot to a 12th place finish in the 1963 Indianapolis 500. Ruttman was active in business for many years. He owned an automobile dealership in Dearborn, MI and later was an aircraft broker in Venice, FL. He had just moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ shortly before his death. He returned to his birthplace for burial in the same cemetery as his parents. Mooreland Cemetery, Mooreland, Oklahoma cause of death: lung cancer
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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1952 INDY 500 WINNER
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