Up close and personal with Angela Ruch.
It was a special treat to be able to interview Professional Stock Car Racing Driver, Reality TV Personality, and new Mother – Angela Ruch.
As the third generation of Copes to enter the world of racing, Angela and her twin sister, Amber, received a go-kart while they were only nine years old, thus beginning their career in racecar driving. Being the niece of former Daytona 500 Champion, Derrike Cope, Angela always had a desire to race and entered her first NASCAR race in 2010.
Since then, she continued to compete and received a number of accomplishments, including: First to Lead Laps by a Female Driver in the Truck Series at Daytona, Second-Best Finish By Female Driver in the Truck Series, Tied Danica Patrick for Second-Best Finish by Female Driver at Daytona All-Time and more. Angela is currently one of three female NASCAR drivers in the world right now, and the only mother in the industry.
All while making her return to NASCAR, Angela started a new journey in her life as a mother. With her husband, Mike Ruch, founder and CEO of Industrial Timber, the couple adopted two babies, which was showcased on her new reality show, “The Ruch Life.” The Ruch Life, debuted on Facebook Watch in 2020, focuses on Angela’s return to the racetrack, as well as her plans to adopt and start a family. To date, the show has received over 7 million views, averaging over 835K views per episodes in the United States.
In addition to her career with NASCAR, and new journey as a mother, Angela is a partner and advocate for Give a Child A Voice. Founded by Angela’s nephew, Eric Erdman, Give a Child A Voice is a non-profit organization with a mission to put an end to bullying, child abuse, and life-threatening childhood illnesses.
Can you tell us a bit about The Ruch Life reality show?
Angela Ruch I recently launched The Ruch Life reality show on Facebook Watch with my husband and co-star Mike Ruch. Our show gives an inside look into my racing career along with my transition into parenthood as we get ready to adopt two newborn babies (which was at the time of filming). The show really covers it all! From being on the racetrack at Daytona to my very first moments with my son King. Our fans absolutely loved it, so now we’ve launched a podcast as an extension of the show on Facebook and YouTube, where we chat about current trending topics and speak with celebrities and athletes about what’s going on in the world today.
Did you ever dream you would become a Reality TV star?
Angela Ruch I always loved reality TV when I was growing up, but never had I dreamed that I would have my own show!
Is your husband Mike a racing fan?
Angela Ruch I wouldn’t say Mike is a huge racing fan! Before we met, he never knew anything about racing, but now he definitely supports me!
What kind of reception did you receive from NASCAR owners and racers as a woman? Do you feel that they accept the desire of their fans to see women in racing?
Angela Ruch I would definitely say being a female in a male-dominated sport has been a challenge, but what in life that’s worth something isn’t?!
I will say that we’re seeing more woman breaking into the sport now than ever before and we definitely are gaining respect. Being the first female to lead laps at Daytona with a shot at winning last year, truly showed my competitors and NASCAR that we are getting closer and closer! The day that a woman wins will be worth everything….I sure hope it’s me!
Besides your Uncle Derrike Cope, a former Daytona 500 champion, what racers inspired you to become a racer?
Angela Ruch Being that I had three generations of racing in family, my grandfather, my dad and then also my uncle Derrike Cope, it’s something I always wanted to do. I grew up watching NASCAR every single weekend at a very young age and always wondered why there were not many females in the sport. Then, I got my first go-kart for Christmas not knowing what it was, but I would say my love and passion started there. My dreams kept getting bigger and bigger and I started moving up to different types of equipment and getting much better. I always had my uncle to look up to, and I knew that one day, I wanted to be racing alongside him.
What is your personal workout regimen that keeps you in shape for racing?
Angela Ruch The sport of NASCAR is physically and mentally demanding! We are in the car for over two hours sometimes. I train every day for over an hour, seven days a week, and I run anywhere from 5-7 miles at least five days a week.
How do you prepare for optimum performance before a race and what do you do after for maximum recovery?
Angela Ruch I don’t have any crazy rituals, but the night before a race, I’m usually in bed really early – which has changed a bit lately now that I have two kids! The morning of the race, I try to eat a pretty big breakfast with coffee and then it’s off to the race track for a long day. Usually on race day, I try to stay as relaxed as possible because sometimes I tend to get anxious and then that’s when mistakes happen on racetrack! As far as maximum recovery, I try to have a two hour massage set up the next day to help with feeling sore after a long race!
What special vacation locations are calling you for a visit? Why?
We’re most definitely looking forward to going to Paris! That’s mine and my husband’s favorite spot! But we have also been talking about visiting Mykonos which we’ve never been too!
Now that you are a new Mom, will you support your children if they decide to enter the dangerous sport of racing
Angela Ruch I would love it if my kids followed in my footsteps of racing! I love how my parents let myself and my twin sister start at a young age. It helped to keep us focused, out of trouble, and always dreaming of big things! I also want to introduce my children to many other sports and depending on what they love and feel passionate about, is what they will choose. I will be here to guide and support them regardless!
What advice can you give to Mothers who also want to have careers?
Angela Ruch The advice I would give to other mothers out there would be: Why not have it all?! Women today are just as capable to succeed as men are!
What goals and dreams do you still hope to achieve in racing and in your personal life?
Angela Ruch I would say racing a full-time season has been a big dream of mine. It does take a lot of funding to be in the sport of NASCAR, but being behind the wheel racing 23 weekends a year in the hot seat and continuing to learn, only helps me to be better. Of course, I want to be the top female in the sport and the first one to take home the “W”! In my personal life, my goal is to be the best mom in the world to my two adopted children and to let them know that they have the world at their fingertips.
Can you share with us a little about your involvement with the non-profit organization, ‘Give A Child A Voice’ ?
Angela Ruch I’m so proud to support the “Give a Child a Voice” organization. My husband’s godson, Eric, has stage four terminal brain cancer, and he’s the strongest individual I know. He’s the only person I know to have given his ‘Make A Wish’ away and that was to help others with building gyms across the world for kids to find there voice and passion! When I first met Eric, he was a very shy, timid person and the young man he is today is completely opposite. His voice is now being heard around the world.
Congratulations Angela. Thank you!
Leave Us Your Comments.