Johnny Rutherford (1974, 1976, 1980)

Lone Star J.R. is one of the most recognizable faces on the Borg-Warner Trophy. 

And it’s not just because he’s on there three times! 

Johnny Rutherford was always a driver at the front of the pack, in contention for the lead, and usually finding the way to Victory Lane. His three victories at the Brickyard put him as a top five driver for sure at Indianapolis.

Rutherford had been racing at Indy for over a decade before he finally broke through to victory. In 1974, he qualified on day two and started 25^th in the field. He quickly worked his way to the front of the field, taking the lead over Foyt when both pitted on lap 64. They would exchange the lead numerous times before Foyt would have to retire with a broken scavenger pump that left his car leaking oil on the track. Rutherford would lead the rest of the way (except for the last of his eight pit stops) and finishes 22 seconds ahead of second place. He hadn’t lead a lap in his previous ten races at Indy. In ’74, he leads 122 on the way to victory.

The next year, a possible sprint to the finish against Bobby Unser was disallowed by Mother Nature. He finished second with the race stopped on lap 174.

Rain played a part in the 1976 race as well. In the shortest “500” in history, which went just 255 miles (102 laps), Rutherford made his pole position start stick over legend A.J. Foyt.

J.R. found himself on pole again in 1980 and showed his great speed at the Brickyard yet again. He led 119 laps on the way to a comfortable 30 second victory over Tom Sneva. Yet another dominating performance from the Texan.

It’s kind of funny now that, even in retirement, Rutherford still finds himself at the front of the pack. He no longer races, but he still leads the field to the green flag each week for the IZOD IndyCar Series as the official pace car driver. He’s a legend at the Speedway, and his legend grows daily as a continuing part of open-wheel racing.