Jason Rudd: More than just a name
By Troy Fletcher, Special to Turner Sports Interactive
December 12, 2001
5:51 PM EST (2251 GMT)
Making it to an elite NASCAR series isn't easy -- even if you have a famous last name. Just ask Jason Rudd.
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Jason Rudd competed in six Busch events in 2001.
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The 22-year-old Jason is the nephew of Winston Cup star Ricky Rudd, but he has had to work just as hard as the next guy to make it into the NASCAR spotlight.
Last season, Jason made six starts in the Busch Grand National Series and in 2002, he is expanding his BGN schedule.
"It looks like we will be running a Dodge for at least 10 Busch races next season," said A.J. Rudd, Jason's dad.
A.J. helps run Jason's Busch Series operation, while Jason's grandfather -- Alvin Rudd Sr. -- owns the car that Jason is going to drive. Alvin Rudd Sr. is no stranger to NASCAR.
He owned Cup cars that Ricky drove from 1976-78, and in '77, Ricky won the Cup's Rookie of the Year honor after posting one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
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Jason Rudd
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"I am real excited to get to race in 10 Busch races in 2002," Jason said. "I know it will mess up my rookie status in the Busch Series, but right now, seat-time is more important to me than my rookie status. Plus, hopefully, I can do well in these 10 races and land a full-time Busch ride."
According to A.J., the majority of Jason's 2002 schedule will include him making starts at both the Rockingham races, both the Richmond events, as well as Nashville, Kentucky, Kansas and Charlotte.
"We have some things in the works as far as sponsorship for Jason's 10 races and we hope to announce something fairly soon," said A.J., who also made some Cup races of his own back in 1980.
Jason, meanwhile, was quick to admit that Ricky has helped ease his learning curve whenever possible.
"Ricky knows a whole lot about all the tracks I race on and I try to learn as much as I can from him about these tracks," Jason said. "Plus, if Ricky has time, he will drive me around a track in a rental car and show me what lines to take and so on. And that is a huge help."
Although racing was in Jason's blood, A.J. didn't force him into the sport.
"It was his decision to start racing and actually, he and his brother, Chris, started racing before they were teen-agers," A.J. said.
Speaking of Chris, he is 19 years old and is actively involved with Jason's Busch team as well.
"Chris is my spotter at races and he is the only one I trust," Jason said. "I know he would love to be out there racing with me, but right now we are trying to get my career going and then hopefully someday we will be racing against each other in Winston Cup."
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