Troy Ruttman

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Troy Ruttman (March 11, 1930 - May 19, 1997) was an American race car driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1952. As of 2006, he is the youngest winner of the race.

Born in Mooreland, Oklahoma, Ruttman died of cancer in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1949-1952, 1954, 1956-1957 and 1960-1964 seasons with 58 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1949-1952, 1954, 1956-1957, and 1960-1964. He finished in the top ten 26 times, with 5 victories and finished runner-up to Chuck Stevenson for the 1952 National Championship.

Ruttman also competed in 7 races in the NASCAR Grand National series from 1962-1964, finishing in the top ten 5 times.

He is the older brother of Joe Ruttman.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1949	64	18	125.945	32	12	151	0	Flagged
1950	55	24	131.912	9	15	130	0	Flagged
1951	98	6	132.314	25	23	78	0	Bearing
1952	98	7	135.364	18	1	200	44	Running
1954	34	11	137.736	31	4	200	0	Running
1956	53	11	142.484	17	31	22	0	Spun FS
1957	52	3	142.772	7	31	13	4	Overheating
1960	28	6	145.366	8	20	134	11	Rear End Gear
1961	52	22	144.799	23	20	105	10	Clutch
1962	26	30	146.765	19	18	140	0	Piston
1963	17	33	148.374	24	12	200	0	Running
1964	14	18	151.292	24	18	99	0	Spun T3
Totals						1472	69

Starts	12
Poles	0
Front Row	1
Wins	1
Top 5	2
Top 10	2
Retired	7

[edit] F1 career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was considered part of the Formula One schedule from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with F1 points and participation. Troy Ruttman participated in 8 Formula One races, 6 times at Indy plus the 1958 French Grand Prix . He started on the pole 0 times, won 1 races, set 0 fast laps, and finished on the podium 1 times. He accumlated a total of 9½ championship points.

His 1952 win earned him the distinction of being the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix. The record stood for over 51 years, until it was bested by Fernando Alonso in 2003.