Gerald "Budd Rack" Rutledge

[Billy Mac]

Many of you may have read about my friend, Mark Rutledge (Big Nasty) and me helping with construction of, not one, but three cars to race with the Outlaw Racing Street Car Association (ORSCA) (its HIS Mustang that I have written about that I drove a time or two)........

This past Friday morning, while we were in route to Huntsville Dragway with all three cars, Mark's older brother, Gerald was killed in a single vehicle accident. He had left a little before us, to tend to some personal business and was to meet up with us in Huntsville.

Ironically, we drove right by the accident scene and did NOT recognise the truck that "Budd Rack" was driving. I think more than anything....in our minds, we refused to believe that it could be him.....as we were getting into Huntsville, maybe five or six miles from the track....Big Mark got the call that, indeed, Budd Rack had succumbed to injuries sustaned in the mishap just outside of Union Springs, Alabama. We turned around and headed straight back home.

Funeral services for "Budd" were held yesterday (April 3) at Collins-Burke Funeral Home, in Jasper, Alabama, and internment is at a cemetary in Carbon Hill, Alabama. Big Mark and his wife (Miss Terry) and his son, Dylan, daughter's Candice and Peyton, were there for several days, making arrangements and what not. Myself and fellow crew member Dusty Gee (G-Man) drove up yesterday morning to be there for moral support for Big Nasty...........

"Budd Rack's" passion for life combined with his love of Drag Racing made him a friend to many in the Northern Alabama area, as well as a feared competitor in his racing heydays..........He was the one responsible for tuning all three of Big Mark's cars; a job he took VERY seriously....even if he was constantly cracking wise on all of us.

You will be Missed, Gerald David "Budd Rack" Rutledge, 1948-2007

[jim sanders]

jeeez Billy so sorry to read this man....

[Billy Mac]

Believe me Doc, I wish that I didn't have to post that.....but I felt that my Family "HERE" needed to know what was what.....

Big Nasty Racing WILL be back in action in 2 weeks, up in Jackson, SC, at the "House Of Hook" (whether with ME or without ME, as I am not sure I will be able to attend that event with them.)

[draglist]

Sorry Billy. bp

[pro70z28]

Sorry to hear the news Billy.

[Rapid Randy Baker]

I hope your friend can RIP Billy. Sorry you had to go thru this.

Rapid

[Gator]

RIP

sorry for your loss Billy

[RobbieG.]

Sorry for you loss Billy.

[Barb]

You're in my thoughts Billy.