Lloyd Ruby
 

I just got word that Lloyd Ruby is in bad health and the initial word is that it isn't looking very good at the moment. Thoughts and Prayers go out to Lloyd and the Ruby family for a big turnaround.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Saw Lloyd in the pits up at the 500 this year. He had aged quite a bit since I had last seen him. Some of the most exciting moments/runs I've ever seen at the Speedway involved Lloyd Ruby. In 1966 he ran off and hid from the field until the car bottomed out and tore off an oil plug. In '68 he was leading Bobby Unser and Joe Leonard when the magneto went south on him (remember his "flocked" helmet that year?). An extended pit stop changed it but, he dropped back to fifth. In 1969 he started 20th and was leading before the half way point, only to have a pit snafu tear open the fuel cell pulling out of the pits. In '70 he started 25th and acually led the race briefly before the
54th lap when the gearbox failed (Bill Daniels Cable Vision Special). He was absolutely the fastest man on the track all four of those years. He could very easily be a four time winner. Those were spectatcular runs!!!!! I don't know anyone who didn't adore Ruby as a driver or a person.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I second what Cecil said. Didn't see his 1966 run, but did from 1967 on. I remember vividly his 1970 run where he went from 25th to the top ten in a matter of a half dozen laps. It was unbelievable. Pretty fair sporty car driver. He and Ken Miles were unstoppable for a while in the endurence races.

Sure hope he can whip this thing.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Prayers for one of the very best drivers we ever had at Indy.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

We sure hate to hear this. We used to refer to him as Hard Luck Lloyd. He was a hard charger and could have won every race he was in had it not been for his luck. Prayers for Lloyd and the family.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

My thoughts and prayers are with Lloyd and his family.

Patti

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Lloyd Ruby is one of my all time favorites. I know that he has had some health problems for sometime. My thoughts and prayers go out to him.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I will keep Lloyd and the entire Ruby family in my prayers.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I have Lloyd's address if anyone would like to write him or send a card. PM me or email me (sosmole@yahoo.com) for his contact information.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I just spoke with Lloyd on the phone this morning. He is home, and I didn't pry as to what his issues were but, he said he would love to hear, in the form of letters and cards, from his fans. He's a great guy and really appreciative that people are concerned for him. So email me (sosmole@yahoo.com) or PM me for the address.

Craig Stevens

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I got to see most of Lloyd's Indy 500 runs from my seat in the Tower Terrace and in '69 he was pitted directly in front of us. I was ready to kick something, anything, or anyone when I saw that hose conector pull the side of the car's fueltank out with fuel pouring on the ground. I just knew ole Rube was going to win that one, but it was never to be.

Also saw him try to qualify the Forbes RE car on the Indiana Fairgrounds dirt one year. Didn't get it in the show as I recall.

Got his autograph at the IFG Hulman 100 one year. I'm not much on autographs but it was raining and there wasn't much else to do and they had a table set up with Lloyd Ruby, Bob Christie, Johnny Boyd, Parnelli Jones, and Rodger Ward (who was miffed that they had spelled his name incorrectly ("R-o-g-e-r", without the "D"). It was neat getting to talk with those guys.

Lloyd is one tough Texan and I have added him to the thoughts and prayers list.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Lloyd is a cancer survivor and is about to go in for some more surgery in the very near future. He and his doctors expect a full recovery with the help of thoughts and prayers from his many friends and fans.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Some of my first recollections of Indy Car racing, when I was a small kid, involved Lloyd. He was a fixture on the scene as I was growing up. Always competitive and a crowd favorite. I wish I could remember the car owner who said "I hope he drives faster than he talks". I remember my Mom always loved to hear him talk with that sloooooow Texas drawl.
He'll beat this round of problems, he's a champion. :thumb
David.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

Also saw him try to qualify the Forbes RE car on the Indiana Fairgrounds dirt one year. Didn't get it in the show as I recall.....Fishburger

That was 1968, Marv. It was the Gene White Mongoose #25. At the Hoosier 100 they had a DOHC Ford in it and they just missed the show. However, earlier in the year they ran that car with a turbo-offy in it at either Syracuse or, Nazereth? and made the show and ran as high as 4th with it. Don't remember how it finished or, if it finished.

Re: Lloyd Ruby
 

I want to thank all of you who PM'd or emailed me for the address so that you could send Lloyd some words of comfort!! Anyone who would still like to write him, get hold of me. Craig Stevens