Debuted as a driver in 1973 at Lakehill Speedway near Valley Park, Mo. 1973 Central Auto Racing Association Rookie of the Year. Recorded more than 200 feature-race wins from 1974-1978, before joning the United States Auto Club Stock Car circuit for 1979 season. 1979 USAC Stock Car circuit's Rookie of the Year and points runner-up, winning five races. 1983 Amercan Speed Association series champion. Drove in two 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup races for Roger Penske; competed in two 1981 races for Benfield Racing and two for Rusty Wallace Racing; competed in three Winston Cup races in 1982 for Wallace/Prejean Racing; drove for Cliff Stewart Racing during entire 1984 and 1985 seasons; drove for the Blue Max Racing Team during 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 racing seasons; joined Roger Penske and Don Miller as owners of Penske Racing South, Inc., driving for team in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Voted Rookie of the Year in the 1984 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. 1984 Champion Spark Plug Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. First Winston Cup win came in 72nd start: Valleydale 500 on April 6, 1986, at Briston, TN. First Winston Cup pole position came in 110th attempt (80th superspeedway race), in Miller 400 on June 28, 1987 at Michigan Internationl Speedway. First superspeedway win came in 114th start (84th) superspeedway race) in NASCAR at the Glen on Aug. 10, 1987, at Watkins Glen International Speedway. Won the Winston "All-Star" race on May 21, 1989, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Won the "Pole Shoot-Out" on Feb. 8, 1998, at Daytona International Speedway. 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup champion and 1988 and 1993 NMPA Driver of the Year. Runner-up 1993 Ki Cuyler "Driver of the Year." Finished seventh in the 2000 point standings; eigth in 1999 point standings; fourth in 1998 point standings; ninth in 1997; seventh in 1996; fifth in 1995; third in 1994; second in 1993; 13th in 1992; 10th in 1991; sixth in 1990; second in 1988; fifth in 1987; sixth in 1986; 19th in 1985; and 14th in 1984. Competed in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996 International Race of Champions series; won four of 15 races and the 1991 IROC Championship. Has $435,000 in career IROC earnings. Won 10 races in 1993 and eight in 1994. Won three consecutive races in 1993 (April races at Bristol, N. Wilkesboro & Martinsville). Won three consecutive races in 1994 (June races at Dover, Pocono and Michigan). Won on all types of tracks in 1996 (superspeedways, short-tracks, and a road course). Won the inaugural race at Japan's Suzuka Circuit in November of 1996. Rusty was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on February 1, 1998.
