Ken Rush

Kenneth Rush (September 14, 1931 – October 17, 2011) was an American NASCAR Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1957 to 1972.

Rush would win the 1969 'Bama 400 Grand Touring race on Saturday, September 13, 1969 - arguably the first race held at Talladega Superspeedway sanctioned by any motorsports body - in his Chevrolet Camaro. Another notable appearance for Rush was at the 1957 Rebel 300 where he finished in last place due to the infamous "lap 29" crash.

In his eight-year career, Rush managed to race in 56 races for a distance of 9396 laps - the equivalent of 5,717.6 miles (9,201.6 km). He started 14th on average and finished in 18th on average. After his racing career was over, Rush managed to earn $11,760 in total prize winnings ($90,515.51 when adjusted for inflation). Had he been born 40 years later, he may have accomplished the big prize winnings that today's NASCAR superstars earn from their races. A lot of the races during Rush's era paid $200 ($2,292.65 when adjusted for inflation) or less just for winning the race.

Rush died from a stroke in his hometown of High Point, North Carolina at age 80.