Troy Ruttman

Interesting facts

Ruttman won the 1952 Indianapolis 500 at 22 years and 80 days old, becoming the youngest winner in the race's history - a record that, in terms of the youngest World Championship race winner overall, stood for 51 years until Fernando Alonso broke it in 2003. His career took off early: he started racing at 15 and dominated California roadster racing by 1947-48, before winning three AAA sprint car championships. Just months after his 1952 triumph, he was injured in a sprint car crash, and during his recovery he gained weight and partied heavily - contemporaries called it a classic case of "too much, too young," and he never regained his earlier level of success. Troy Ruttman made his Formula 1 debut in 1950 and raced until 1960, 8 seasons in total as an American driver. He scored a total of 9.5 championship points over his career.