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ESPN'S Ultimate NASCAR Top Drivers

Posted: July 8th, 2007, 9:16 am
by bigsmooth
I caught the last part of this show and this is the top 5 all time drivers:

1. dale earnhardt sr.
2. richard petty
3. david pearson
4. bobby allison
5. jeff gordon

12. tony stewart
14. mark martin


i would personally flip petty and earnhardt. though both had seven cup championships, petty had 200 wins! im sure the arguement is that the competition was tougher in earnhardt's day but the technology was less in petty's day. thoughts anyone??

Posted: July 8th, 2007, 9:20 am
by Sly Fox
The Alabama Mafia were the only ones with operations that could compete with the King back int he day. Petty had massive resources at his disposal that gave him a serious competitive advantage.

And while you could say the competition was lesser back in the day, you could also argue it wasn't as watered down as it is today (think NBA discussions).

Posted: July 8th, 2007, 9:25 am
by bigsmooth
i dont know if it is watered down, because you have a bunch of open wheel drivers who have had major success in NASCAR. it is a good discussion point, and of course im glad this list gave it's do credit to the 24. :D

Posted: July 8th, 2007, 10:29 am
by El Scorcho
Sly Fox wrote:The Alabama Mafia were the only ones with operations that could compete with the King back int he day. Petty had massive resources at his disposal that gave him a serious competitive advantage.
No one put (or probably has ever put) resources behind a driver like Pontiac did with Petty. I'm not sure if I like the heavily mandated ways of today better, or the "run what you brung" days of yesteryear.