Ruttman drives FDNY fundraising truck

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Joe Ruttman, who came from nowhere to score a fourth place finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opener at Daytona International Speedway, has secured a ride for the series' second race.

Ruttman, 67, will line up 25th for Friday's 4:30 p.m. Craftsman Anniversary 200 at Darlington Raceway in Jim Rosenblum Racing's No. 28 truck sponsored by the FDNY (Fire Department New York) Racing Team.

Jason Leffler won the Bud Pole Award for the race, which will be shown tape delayed on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET Saturday but broadcast live on the affiliate network of MRN Radio.

Ruttman scrambled to get a ride and then a sponsor for Daytona after being released after last season by Bobby Hamilton Racing. He brings a competitive edge to Rosenblum's team via his 13 career wins as the No. 28 truck, dubbed "Ground Zero," serves as a fundraising vehicle for the FDNY Widow's and Children's Fund.

"I'm looking forward to Darlington and I'm specially enthusiastic to offer my support to the world's number one Fire Department, FDNY, and the Widows and Children's Fund through America's number one sport -- NASCAR racing," Ruttman said.

Rosenblum's truck, which carried the FDNY scheme at Daytona but did not qualify with Kenny Allen driving, will also display an honor for fireman Joshua Earley, the first to die in the line of duty in Charlotte, N.C., since 1934.