“I thought, ‘This here’s gonna beat the heck out of working,’” Lloyd Ruby told Motor Trend in a recent interview about his decision to enter the world of automobile racing. The Wichita Falls, TX native passed away Monday after a long and impressive career.
Often remembered as a talented driver who, through numerous twists of fate, never managed to win the Indy 500, Ruby was born on January 12, 1928. He got started in racing with motor scooters and motorcycles, and from there, he progressed to road-racing and sprint-car racing. He raced stock cars, Formula 1, and midget cars as well.
A participant in every Indy 500 race from 1960 to 1977, Ruby had seven victories, 88 top ten finishes, and captured third place in 1964. He came close to winning the famous race on several occasions, but he was always foiled by a mechanical failure or other stroke of bad luck.
However, despite never winning the Indy 500, Ruby has a distinguished career in racing. He raced in the USAC Championship Car series for nearly 20 years, winning the race seven times. He also racked up victories in United States Grand Prix, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Photos courtesy of Toy Collector and business consultant Ron Sturgeon.
Known for his steady hand and quick thinking behind the wheel, Ruby told Motor Trend that how you treat your car is an important part of racing.
“During the long races, you had to pace yourself and be good to the car,” he said. “If a driver was too tough on it, most often, they just didn’t finish.”
Over the course of his impressive career, many honors came to Rudy. In 2005, he received the Bruton Smith Legends Award at the Texas Motor Speedway. He also was inducted into the Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame last year. Ruby even has an overpass named after him.
One of the many good things about auto racing is its tendency to remember the great legends, both human and automotive. Museums like the DFW Elite Toy Museum with its collection of Indy cars and the Hall of Fame Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ensure that great Indy cars will not be forgotten. And fans also remember the great drivers like Lloyd Ruby.
But Ruby will be remembered for more than just his distinguished racing career. Friends describe him as a Southern gentleman and a practical joker. Many recall his dry sense of humor and compassion for others. In the Motor Trend interview, Ruby said he would like to be remembered as himself.
“I enjoyed racing,” he said. “It’s been my whole life. I wouldn’t trade my life for anybody’s.”
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.
