John (Johnny) Sherman Rutherford, III (born March 12, 1938 in Coffeyville, Kansas) was a U.S. automobile racer.
The Texas-raised "Lonestar J.R." is one of eight drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 mile race at least three times, (1974, 1976, 1980). The others are Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose (credited with only two by official speedway records), A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, and Rick Mears. Rutherford also won three poles at the 500, (1973, 1976, 1980). He retired from racing before the start of the 1994 Indianapolis 500 race and now serves as a driver expert on the Indy 500 radio network every May.
Rutherford also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Winston Cup starts from 1963 to 1988 and driving in 5 editions of the International Race of Champions (1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984) , but the bulk of his success came in open wheel racing.
Johnny Rutherford is the Honorary Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2006.
Awards[]
- He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996.
- He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1995.
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993.
Indy 500 results[]
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Watson | Offy | 26th | 29th |
| 1964 | Watson | Offy | 15th | 27th |
| 1965 | Halibrand | Ford | 11th | 31st |
| 1967 | Eagle | Ford | 19th | 25th |
| 1968 | Eagle | Ford | 21st | 18th |
| 1969 | Eagle | Offy | 17th | 29th |
| 1970 | Eagle | Offy | 2nd | 18th |
| 1971 | Eagle | Offy | 24th | 18th |
| 1972 | Brabham | Offy | 8th | 27th |
| 1973 | McLaren | Offy | 1st | 9th |
| 1974 | McLaren | Offy | 25th | 1st |
| 1975 | McLaren | Offy | 7th | 2nd |
| 1976 | McLaren | Offy | 1st | 1st |
| 1977 | McLaren | Cosworth | 17th | 33rd |
| 1978 | McLaren | Cosworth | 4th | 13th |
| 1979 | McLaren | Cosworth | 8th | 18th |
| 1980 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 1st | 1st |
| 1981 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 5th | 32nd |
| 1982 | Chaparral | Cosworth | 12th | 8th |
| 1983 | Wildcat | Cosworth | Practice Crash | |
| 1984 | March | Cosworth | 30th | 22nd |
| 1985 | March | Cosworth | 30th | 6th |
| 1986 | March | Cosworth | 12th | 8th |
| 1987 | March | Cosworth | 8th | 11th |
| 1988 | Lola | Buick | 30th | 22nd |
| 1989 | Lola | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1990 | Lola | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1992 | Lola | Chevrolet | Failed to Qualify |