JERRY RUTH, ‘KING OF THE NORTHWEST,’ PASSES AWAY
Ruth’s career included the NHRA Top Fuel World Championship in 1973
By Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor (Reprinted with permission)
Jerry Ruth in his refurbished nostalgia top fuel car.
Jerry Ruth, whose amazing Top Fuel career spanned 20 years and included the NHRA Top Fuel world championship in 1973, passed away July 1. He was 87.
Ruth, dubbed the “King of the Northwest” in 1965 by a local sportswriter, ruled the nitro ranks in the region for years. Always a self-promoter, Ruth later joked, “When I won the world championship in 1973, I changed it to ‘King of the World.’”
Ruth’s first recognized Top Fuel car was in 1964 after previously campaigning a twin-engine gas dragster, and later added a Funny Car, and was successful in both, and was proud of it.
“People asked me if a Funny Car was harder to drive than a dragster,” he said in a 2017 interview. “Not for me. They were both the same. I’m a natural driver. It’s been my great calling. People asked me which car I liked best. That’s an easy answer: whichever one could win.”
From 1964 to 1972, Ruth dominated NHRA’s Division 6, capturing eight Top Fuel championships and three Funny Car titles — two as a driver and one as a team owner. In both 1971 and 1972, he pulled off the rare feat of winning Division 6 titles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, becoming the first driver to ever score victories in two Professional categories at the same event.
Ruth truly ruled the Northwest, winning the region’s two marquee races — the N.W. Fuel and Gas Championship in Puyallup, Wash., and the Travel-Ons Fuel and Gas Championship in Arlington, Wash. — three consecutive years, but his influence reached far beyond his home turf.
In 1968, he claimed the prestigious Professional Dragsters Association (PDA) Championship at Lions Dragstrip in Long Beach, Calif., and went on to win three NHRA national events, including the 1973 NHRA World Finals in Amarillo, Texas, where he clinched the NHRA world championship.
After getting knocked out by tire shake at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 1979, Ruth commissioned Al Swindahl to build a revolutionary dragster cockpit for 1980, designed around a shoulder hoop off of a Funny Car for the roll cage. The style was quickly adopted by many in the class, and Swindahl became the 1980s’ go-to dragster chassis builder.
“People told me it looked like crap, that it was ugly; I didn’t care,” Ruth said. “I needed to fix this thing or my career was over. I made Al rich and helped him realize his dream of a lifetime, to build a car for the big guns.”
Ruth won the NHRA Mile-High Nationals that year and made the first mile-high five-second pass. That 1980 Denver win was the last NHRA victory of Ruth’s career, and he retired after the 1984 season.
Though Ruth’s racing career concluded then, his legacy as one of drag racing’s most formidable competitors continues to resonate. He was a regular guest at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, where he would display and cackle one of his vintage front-engine dragsters.
Ruth is survived by his wife, Cindy, and predeceased by brothers Bill and John.
Jerry Ruth, seen here at the Deer Park Drag Strip following twin wins in NHRA Division 6 funny car and top fuel. Ruth passed away July 1 at age 87. NHRA photos
ANDREW TATE WINS SECOND STRAIGHT INDIANA GOVERNOR’S CUP
Madison, Indiana – July 6, 2025 – The 75th edition of the Madison Regatta concluded with great moments on and off the water, capped by the official H1 Unlimited driver qualification of Brandon Kennedy and a thrilling final that saw Andrew Tate and the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate claim their second consecutive Indiana Governor’s Cup title.
Kennedy, at the helm of the U-6 Miss Madison, earned his Unlimited status in front of his hometown crowd on Saturday — a significant career milestone that electrified fans and added emotional depth to the weekend.
High winds altered the schedule, forcing the cancellation of Heat 3. The four-boat Governor’s Cup final was held at 5:45 p.m., featuring U-8 Beacon Electric, U-9 Beacon Plumbing, U-11 FLAV-R-PAC, and U-91 Goodman Real Estate. U-27 Miss Apollo, although qualified, did not advance.
The final delivered a wild first turn in which Corey Peabody (U-9) hooked and was later disqualified for two one-minute penalties during the milling period.
The next stop on the H1 Unlimited circuit is the APBA Gold Cup in Tri-Cities, Washington, set for July 25–27. Seven teams are expected to compete:
U-8 Beacon Electric / J. Michael Kelly
U-9 Beacon Plumbing / Corey Peabody
U-11 Miss FLAV-R-PAC / Jamie Nilsen
U-12 Graham Trucking / Jeff Bernard
U-21 Go Fast Turn Left / Gunnar O’Farrell
U-27 Miss Apollo / Dave Villwock
U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate / Andrew Tate
National High Points Standings (Through Madison)
U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate / Andrew Tate – 1,225 pts
U-8 Beacon Electric / J. Michael Kelly – 1,130 pts
U-9 Beacon Plumbing / Corey Peabody – 960 pts
U-11 Miss FLAV-R-PAC / Jamie Nilsen – 925 pts
U-27 Miss Apollo / Dave Villwock– 655 pts
U-6 Miss Madison / Brandon Kennedy – 225 pts
UPGRADES, UPDATES AT MISSION VALLEY IN TIME FOR MONTANA 200
The Mission Valley Super Oval near Polson, Montana, hosts the 34th annual Montana 200, July 10-12. File photo
POLSON, MONT. (July 7, 2025) — The 34th running of the Montana 200 at Mission Valley Super Oval offers a few new wrinkles.
“It’s pretty much the same but a little bit different format this year,” said operator Tony Undem. “I know last year we were right on that edge of how many cars we wanted to allow, and I think we ended up with 31 cars.”
After running that race Undem realized that’s just too many cars on the 3/8th-mile tri-oval track so the 34th edition will feature 26 entries chasing $10,000 to win and $5,000 as runner-up.
Aside from the regular purse for the event sponsored by Missoula Chevrolet, some additional incentive awards are being offered, Undem explained.
“A sponsor came in and wants to sponsor another $1,000 for the hard charge awards,” Undem said. It goes to the driver who finishes the furthest up from where they started.
There might be a an offer for either one of the top two qualifiers to go to the back and try to win it from there. “We’ll see if anybody bites on that this year?” Undem said. That bonus amount has not been determined.
“I think it’s going to take a little bit extra for somebody to do that because it’s tough, tough race to to be back there and stay out of trouble,” Undem said. “I know we have cars that are fast enough to do that in 200 laps. It’s just a matter of staying out of the trouble that happens when you start with 26 cars out there,” he added.
Following qualifying heats that puts 24 cars into the race, a last change qualifier will at a pair of slots.
“We did add Thursday back this year because we do have a lot of out of town teams coming,” Undem said. “It’s kind of an optional practice on Thursday that haven’t been here before,” he said, adding it helps trams adjust to a new tire.
In addition there’s a driver’s dinner down on the lake with live music. “That’ll be fun,” Undem said.
A Hobby Stock race with $1,000 to win will be part of the Friday program that includes qualifying. A similar payout is offered Saturday for the Legends class that serves as the support event the night of the 200.
“It gives those classes a chance to get on TV,” Undem said.
“We will be live on Racing America Friday and Saturday night so it gives them a chance to get some TV exposure and get their sponsors on TV.”
Both fans and racers will notice a variety of cosmetic changes and added amenities at Mission Valley. Included is a new wall with SAFER barrier that replaces old guardrail. Mission Valley is the only paid oval in Montana.
“We added a pizza booth concession,” Undem said. “We want to keep out kitchen from being overwhelmed.” They will also bring in several food trucks just to give a variance and again to help out the kitchen.
Visit www.missionvalleysuperoval.com for further information on the Montana 200 and Mission Valley Super Oval. Pits open at 11 a.m., spectator gates at 5 with racing at 6 p.m.
RC CARS PREP FOR ROAR RACE
Radio control racers were in action last weekend at the Hank Perry Raceway at Sullivan Park in Spokane Valley as they prep for a major race at the track set for Aug. 8-10.
The ROAR race will be big, hopefully 250 entries, spokesperson Jamie Nash wrote in a Facebook message. “The ROAR regional race will have worldwide media cast through MOD Media, an RC media company.
Nationally ranked drivers plan to attend, as do large RC companies. Further information can be found by visiting www.rcccs.net.
