Despite worries, Ruttman remains focused
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
October 24, 2001
5:12 PM EDT (2112 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- It’s been said that obstacles are merely the things that get in your way when you take your eyes off your goals.
Not even his wife's battle with cancer and his team's sponsorship struggles have caused him to take his eye off his goal this season.
After winning the season-opening race at Daytona in February, the 56-year-old Ruttman found out his wife, Peggy, had been diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor.
“When I found out about the tumor, I said I would beat it,” Peggy Ruttman said. “It’s been the fight of my life and in many ways, the fight of Joe’s life too. But he has been great through everything. He has been my rock through the tough times and the sad times.”
Since then, the Ruttmans have been attempting to find the right medicine or procedure to aid them in Peggy’s fight. Recently, they received news that the current treatments were starting to work, giving them a sense of hope.
At the same time, Peggy's good news was being overshadowed by the news from Ruttman's sponsor. DANA Corportation informed Bobby Hamilton Racing it will not be returning to the program next year.
“It’s been an unbelievable year,” Joe Ruttman said. “I just wonder what will happen next. It’s been a tough year trying to take care of the off-track situations, and now the on-track one with the sponsor.
“But, I know everything will work out. I just have to believe that.”
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Joe Ruttman (18) chases Rick Crawford (14) and Scott Riggs (2) at Las Vegas.
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On the track, Ruttman has put together two victories, four Bud Pole Awards, 10 top-fives and 20 top-10s in 22 races. Heading into Friday's Silverado 150 at Phoenix International Raceway, Ruttman is 97 points behind leader Jack Sprague.
As the defending race winner, Ruttman knows how to handle the oddly-configured asphalt oval.
“I dig the place because each turn is different,” he said. “You’ve really got to know what the truck is doing to get around that place.
“I’ve won races there and most of the time been in contention for a solid finish. I just hope for the same result this time around.”
Bud Pole Qualifying is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Friday night's race begins at 6:30 ET (ESPN2, MRN Radio).
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