Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford [Hardcover]

Johnny Rutherford (Author), David Craft (Author), Mari Hulman George (Preface), A.J. Foyt (Foreword), Mari Hulman George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

In Lone Star J.R., Johnny himself gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the racing world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Rutherford was a very successful Indy style race car driver during the 1970s and 1980s. Among his many triumphs were three wins in the Indianapolis 500, historically the most prestigious race in America. This is his engaging account of the events and highlights of his life and career; more than that, though, it also describes what motivated him as a driver and as a person, and it truly conveys the love that he had for his decades of racing. Despite this being a compilation of reminiscences, there is continuity throughout, and the book reads very well, highlighted by descriptive passages that seem to capture the feelings, smells, and adrenaline rushes of driving a race car. Rutherford may not be well known to many current racing fans, but because of his prominence in the sport, this would make a good addition to libraries with racing history collections, especially those in Rutherford!s adopted state of Texas."David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib.,York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572433531
• ISBN-13: 978-1572433533
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,760,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lone Star J.R., August 18, 2000

By 

Michael Anderson (Lighthouse Point, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford (Hardcover)

If you are a fan of Johnny Rutherford and racing in general, this is the book for you. The book gives insight from inside the racing world. It is a highly detailed account of Johnny's personal life and his racing career. I found his personal struggle to become a big time driver very interesting, as he started at a relatively late age for his era. It was also interesting to me to read his explanation of the many changes in racing and what was expected of a driver from his first race until his retirement. The candid comments and numerous photographs, make you fell like you've had a personal converstaion with J.R. himself. I believe almost anyone will enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Winner!, June 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford (Hardcover)

Overall, I liked this book. The story of JR's early racing days and his travels with Jim McElreath as they followed the IMCA circuit was good reading. In addition, the details of his 1966 Eldora crash and recovery as well as his experience driving the Smokey Yunick NASCAR Chevy in 1963 was very interesting. I would have liked more technical detail on what happened to his race cars to cause poor finishes at Indy in 1973, 1982, etc.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lone Star J.R., August 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lone Star J.R.: The Autobiography of Racing Legend Johnny Rutherford (Hardcover)

If you are a fan of Johnny Rutherford and racing in general, this is the book for you. The book gives insight from inside the racing world. It is a highly detailed account of Johnny's personal life and his racing career. I found his personal struggle to become a big time driver very interesting, as he started at a relatively late age for his era. It was also interesting for me to read his explanation of the many changes in racing and what was expected of a driver from his first race until his retirement. The candid comments and numerous photographs, make the reader fell like he has had a personal converstaion with J.R. himself. I believe almost anyone will enjoy this book.