Checkered Flag – CORRECTED COPY (added one survivor to the Jim Ruth obit)
Racing in Brief
CHECKERED FLAG
Ed Hudson, 93 Ed Hudson, the CRA sprint car vice-president who followed Walt James as CRA president in 1971, died at his home in Lakewood, Calif. July 3. He had suffered a broken rib from a fall earlier this year. He succumbed from congestive heart failure. Ed is survived by his former CRA sprint car driver son Jerry, with whom he lived. Ed drove his own passenger car and recently renewed his drivers license. His wife Avis and son Rick predeceased him. About 80 persons attended the July 31 memorial service for Ed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lakewood. #######################################
Jim Ruth, 88 CRA sprint car owner Jim N. Ruth died from a possible stroke on Monday, October 5 at his home in Riverside. He requested cremation and no memorial services. “Big Jim” began his racing involvement with CRA roadsters and continued as a CRA sprint car driver at Ascot in Gardena. He transitioned to the role of CRA car owner and hired at least 15 drivers, including his son Jim, Jr. Jim was known for his pipe smoking and use of Dodge Hemi and Plymouth engines in his No. 64 and 25 sprint cars during the 1950-80 decades. He converted to Chevy power in 1989 and campaigned his Ellis-built No. 25 at Perris to 2006 with Gary W. Howard his primary driver. Survivors include wife Petie, 1980s driver Jim, Jr., 61, daughter Felicia, and daughter-in-law Renee Ruth. #######################################
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