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.