Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford

Rutherford, Johnny; Craft, David; George, Mari Hulman

ISBN 10: 1572433531 / ISBN 13: 9781572433533

Published by Triumph Books, 2000

About this Item

2000 inscribed and signed first edition, Triumph Books (Chicago, Illinois), 6 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches tall hardbound in publisher's unclipped dust jacket, beige and gray paper-covered boards, gilt lettering to spine, copiously illustrated with black-and-white photographs, xiii, 305 pp. Very slight soiling and rubbing to covers, with mild bumping to lower tips and lower edge of rear cover. Nicely inscribed and signed by Johnny Rutherford on the half title page. Otherwise, a very good copy - clean, bright and unmarked - in a dust jacket with very slight edgewear and minor mark on its reverse where a price label was removed, but which is nicely preserved and displayed in a clear archival Brodart sleeve. ~C~ John Sherman Rutherford III (b. 1938), better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as 'Lone Star JR,' is a former U.S. automobile racer known for being one of ten drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times. Rutherford won that race in 1974, 1976 and 1980. Rutherford began racing modified stock cars in 1959 and he also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts from 1963 to 1988. Rutherford won in his first start, at Daytona International Speedway driving for Smokey Yunick. This made him one of the youngest drivers ever to win in NASCAR history, in a full points-paying NASCAR race. With his signature Texas flag painted on his helmet, Rutherford captured the hearts of racing fans for three decades. Now he takes readers on an exciting drive through his life and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the racing world. 60 photos.

Seller Inventory # C-0861-6350

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford
• Publisher: Triumph Books
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1572433531
• ISBN 13: 9781572433533
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Signed

About this title

Synopsis

- Foreword by A.J. Foyt, Indy 500 winner and IRL team owner - Preface by Mari Hulman George, Chair person, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

With his signature Texas flag painted on his helmet, Johnny "J.R." Rutherford captured the hearts of racing fans all over the world during his stellar three-decade career. A versatile driver, he is world renowned for his record-breaking successes in the ultra-competitive world of Indy and Sprint cars.

In Lone Star J.R., Johnny himself takes us on an exciting drive through his life and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the racing world. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1938, John Sherman Rutherford III did his duty in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years before beginning his legendary racing career in Texas. After overcoming a serious accident in 1966, in which he suffered two broken arms, he began to achieve his greatest success. J.R. relives his historic Indianapolis 500 wins (in 1974, 1976, and 1980) and explains the allure and excitement of racing in this personal look back at his storied racing career.

A true sportsman, always generous with his time, this racing legend has become one of the greatest ambassadors the sport has ever known. In Lone Star J.R., the man himself explains how and why he has come to be one of the sport's most celebrated legends.

Book size is 6" x 9", with 60 B&W photographs throughout book.

Reviews

Rutherford was a very successful Indy style race car driver during the 1970s and 1980s. Among his many triumphs were three wins in the Indianapolis 500, historically the most prestigious race in America. This is his engaging account of the events and highlights of his life and career; more than that, though, it also describes what motivated him as a driver and as a person, and it truly conveys the love that he had for his decades of racing. Despite this being a compilation of reminiscences, there is continuity throughout, and the book reads very well, highlighted by descriptive passages that seem to capture the feelings, smells, and adrenaline rushes of driving a race car. Rutherford may not be well known to many current racing fans, but because of his prominence in the sport, this would make a good addition to libraries with racing history collections, especially those in Rutherford!s adopted state of Texas."David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib.,York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.