Angela Ruch is not only a NASCAR driver but also a wife, twin sister, and soon-to-be mother. Angela has had some recent successes in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series, with top 10 finishes at Daytona International Speedway and top 20 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These achievements add to the highlights of the Ruch family in 2019. Angela joins us amidst her busy work and personal life, as she prepares for the birth of their adoptive son. We appreciate Angela taking the time to be with us during this important time and wish her and her family continued success.
“I remember traveling every single weekend as a kid with my dad and Amber. It was always non-stop. We didn’t have time for school dances”
Angela’s journey in racing began alongside her sister, Amber Cope, as they made NASCAR history on October 23, 2010. They became the first twins to compete in one of NASCAR’s top three series. Their NASCAR debut took place in the Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville, VA. While Amber finished 26th driving the No. 6 Dodge, Angela encountered two incidents early in the race, resulting in a 30th place finish.
The Ruch twins started their racing careers in go-karts at the age of 9, quickly gaining attention through their numerous victories and pole positions. Even before obtaining their driver’s licenses, they transitioned to late-model race cars at the age of 15. Angela’s notable achievements include a first-place finish in the 2002 Lucas Oil Can-Am 150 at the Sun Valley Speedway. In 1995, Angela secured 1st place, while Amber finished 3rd in the Tri-cities Gold Cup “Yamaha Class.” Both sisters became PSGKA Gold Cup winners in the “Junior Piston Port” category by 1998. In 2006, they shared seat time in the ARCA Re/Max Series, participating in races at various tracks such as Berlin, Gateway, Chicagoland, Milwaukee Mile, and Toledo, Ohio. By 2008, they qualified for the ARCA Re/Max Series at Kentucky Speedway, securing positions 8 and 15.
Currently, Angela competes part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports. Racing runs in the Cope family, as Angela and Amber represent the third generation of Copes in the racing world. Their parents gifted them a go-kart for Christmas at the age of 9, igniting their passion for racing. The twins quickly made a name for themselves, becoming the most accomplished go-kart racers in the Greater Puget Sound region. Over seven years of racing go-karts, they amassed 50 first-place wins and secured pole positions 20 times in the Pacific Northwest. Angela even set new track records at five out of six tracks in the region.
At 15 years old, Angela and Amber progressed to late model race cars, attracting national attention shortly after their debut when they were featured on TODAY with host Bryant Gumbel in 2000. Understanding that pursuing a career in NASCAR would require them to leave their home state of Washington, the twins made the decision to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina. There, they began training with their uncle Derrike, focusing on learning the intricacies of professional racing. They accompanied their uncle to every Cup race he participated in, becoming familiar faces both on the track and in the pit.
Angela’s NASCAR journey has seen her compete in various series over the years. In 2011, she participated in four Nationwide Series races. The following year, Angela shared the No. 24 SR2 Motorsports Toyota in the series with Amber Cope and Benny Gordon on a part-time schedule. After a five-year hiatus, Angela, now going by Angela Ruch, made her return to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series at Kentucky Speedway in 2017. She drove the No. 78 B. J. McLeod Motorsports Chevrolet. In 2019, Angela made her comeback to the Gander Outdoors Truck Series with NEMCO Motorsports. She achieved her best NASCAR career finish of 8th place at Daytona, marking her first lead lap finish and the second-highest finish ever for a female driver in the Truck Series.
Angela Ruch’s dedication to her racing career, along with her balancing act as a wife and soon-to-be mother, showcases her resilience and determination. Her achievements on the track continue to inspire others, especially as she breaks barriers for women in motorsports. We congratulate Angela on her accomplishments and eagerly anticipate the exciting moments that lie ahead in her racing career and personal life.
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ABOUT Angela Ruch
She currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports.
Racing Career
Angela and Amber Cope became the third generation of Copes to enter into the world of racing, when, at the young age of nine, the girls’ parents gave them a go-kart for Christmas and thus began their road to NASCAR. Once they began competing locally, the girls made a name for themselves and became the most accomplished go-kart racers in the Greater Puget Sound region. In their seven years of driving, go-karts included 50 first place wins and setting on pole position 20 times in the Pacific Northwest. Angela also set new track records at five of six tracks in the same region.
At the young age of 15, they progressed to late model race cars even before they had their license to drive. In 2000, a very short time after their debut in late model stock cars they instantly acquired national attention when they were featured on TODAY with host Bryant Gumbel.
As Angela and Amber became more experienced and confident behind the wheel, they knew that in order to pursue a career in NASCAR they would have to leave Washington. They moved across the country to Charlotte, North Carolina to start training with their uncle Derrike. The twins put all of their focus into learning the in and outs of professional racing. They traveled with their Uncle Derrike to every Cup race that he went to and became fixtures on the track and in the pit.
In 2006, the twins split seat time at the Automobile Racing Club of America’s (ARCA) Re/Max Series at Berlin, Gateway, Chicagoland, Milwaukee and Toledo, Ohio. In 2008, they qualified for the ARCA Re/Max Series at Kentucky Speedway with positions 8 and 15. The most difficult part of the ARCA Re/Max Series was that they had to share a car. At times, there would be three weeks before one of them would get back into the seat, losing precious learning time; however, it was a great series for the twins performance-wise.
In 2011, Angela competed in four Nationwide Series races. In 2012, she shared the No. 24 SR2 Motorsports Toyota in the series with Amber Cope and Benny Gordon on a part-time schedule. Five years later, now going by Angela Ruch, she made her return to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series at Kentucky Speedway, driving the No. 78 B. J. McLeod Motorsports Chevrolet.
In 2019, Angela returned to the Gander Outdoors Truck Series with NEMCO Motorsports. She finished a NASCAR career best 8th at Daytona, her first lead lap finish and the second highest ever for a female in the Truck Series.
