| Ken Rush | |
| Birth Date: | 14 September 1931 |
| Birth Place: | High Point, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Death Place: | High Point, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Death Cause: | Stroke |
| Achievements: | 1969 Grand American Champion 1964 & 1966 Bowman Gray Stadium Modified Champion |
| Awards: | 1957 Grand National Series Rookie of the Year |
| Total Cup Races: | 56 |
| Years In Cup: | 8 |
| Best Cup Pos: | 39th (1957) |
| First Cup Race: | 1957 Race #23 (Newport) |
| Last Cup Race: | 1972 World 600 (Charlotte) |
| Cup Wins: | 0 |
| Cup Top Tens: | 16 |
| Cup Poles: | 2 |
| Updated: | April 22, 2013 |
Kenneth Rush (September 14, 1931 – October 17, 2011) was an American NASCAR Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1957 to 1972.[1]
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.[2] Another notable appearance for Rush was at the 1957 Rebel 300 where he finished in last place due to the infamous "lap 29" crash.[3]
In his eight-year career, Rush managed to race in 56 races for a distance of 9396 laps - the equivalent of 5717.6miles.[1] He started 14th on average and finished in 18th on average.[1] After his racing career was over, Rush managed to earn $11,760 in total prize winnings ($ when adjusted for inflation).[1] Had he been born 40 years later, he may have accomplished the big prize winnings that today's NASCAR superstars earn from their races.[4] A lot of the races during Rush's era paid $200 ($ when adjusted for inflation) or less just for winning the race.[4]
Rush died from a stroke in his hometown of High Point, North Carolina at age 80.[5]
