PERSONAL PROFILE
	Spouse: Peggy Kids: Shawn, Carry Jo, Nikki, Kyle Hometown: Upland, CA Birthdate: October 28, 1944

Joe Ruttman proved there was a lot of spark still in his 56-year-old gun in 2000, scoring three victories and eight poles on his way to sixth in the series standings. By previous standards, a sixth-place finish in the points was less than Ruttman and owner Bobby Hamilton expected but the team was plagued by DNFs.

Ruttman, who will team with crew chief Danny Rollins in the No. 18 Dodge fielded by Bobby Hamilton Racing in 2001, has 11 career victories in the Craftsman Truck Series and has been a championship contender every year of the series' existence except 1999, when he joined Hamilton's team halfway through the season.

Ruttman assembled 11 top-10 finishes with 10 of those in the top-5. He's second in all-time starts on the series, to Jack Sprague, and No. 2 among active money winners -- again to Sprague. He is the circuit's oldest winner and Bud Pole winner.