[PenelopePitStop]

Anyone see the 20 Greatest Drivers of All Time (or something like that) show that they used to fill in for the cancellation of the Busch race last night? It was probably a repeat, but I had never seen it.

I thought it was great to see all the "oldies" mixed in with the "newbies".

I was surprised to see Stewart make the cut. I also was surprised to see Earnhardt place first, and Richard Petty place second. However, I was happy with the result!

What'd you think?

[LSC9901]

As of today I probably like Sr more than Petty but I do believe the accomplishments of Richard are greater than those of Dale. Looks like a lot of emotional voting there. I believe Rusty even noted, or someone did, that Dale is more popular now that when he was alive. That says it all. Go Richard.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

As of today I probably like Sr more than Petty but I do believe the accomplishments of Richard are greater than those of Dale. Looks like a lot of emotional voting there. I believe Rusty even noted, or someone did, that Dale is more popular now that when he was alive. That says it all. Go Richard.

Yes, Rusty did comment on the fact that Dale is more popular now than before his death.

I found the segment on Lee Petty interesting in that he would barrel his way through the field to get the win, no matter what. Bumpin' and bangin' all the way.

I also think a very good observation about Sr. was that he could put a car where no driver had the right, or the nerve to, and he could make it work. I think that's why I'm such a fan. There are many good drivers, but I've yet to see anyone do what Sr. could do with a car.

[Phils20]

That was a cool show, but all I could do was see it. I was in a sports bar.

I know the Dale Sr fans don't like it, but to me the King is the King. But Dale Sr and him are 1 and 2, and I can live with it either way.

Gordon is gonna end up #2 in wins, but I just don't see him having the almost mythical quality about him that Richard and Dale have.

Time may prove me wrong, and I hope it does.

The best thing about that list though, is what is rarely mentioned. When they ask Petty who was best, he will tell you The Silver Fox, David Pearson.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

That was a cool show, but all I could do was see it. I was in a sports bar.

I know the Dale Sr fans don't like it, but to me the King is the King. But Dale Sr and him are 1 and 2, and I can live with it either way.

Gordon is gonna end up #2 in wins, but I just don't see him having the almost mythical quality about him that Richard and Dale have.

Time may prove me wrong, and I hope it does.

The best thing about that list though, is what is rarely mentioned. When they ask Petty who was best, he will tell you The Silver Fox, David Pearson.

Being a Sr. fan, I don't have an issue with the King being the King. In fact, I was expecting him to be number one.

Just goes to show you that the "greatest" doesn't necessarily mean statistics and/or the most wins, and/or the most championships, which leads to much debate.

I was surprised how many of the Top 20 I knew. I never saw most of the oldies race, but I sure did know their names. I particularly enjoyed the comments that other drivers had about Mark Martin. I also enjoyed the comments from other drivers regarding the "fear" that the Intimidator would bring if he was on their bumper.

Good show!

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Being a Sr. fan, I don't have an issue with the King being the King. In fact, I was expecting him to be number one.

Just goes to show you that the "greatest" doesn't necessarily mean statistics and/or the most wins, and/or the most championships, which leads to much debate.

I was surprised how many of the Top 20 I knew. I never saw most of the oldies race, but I sure did know their names. I particularly enjoyed the comments that other drivers had about Mark Martin. I also enjoyed the comments from other drivers regarding the "fear" that the Intimidator would bring if he was on their bumper.

Good show!

I hope they show it again, but not because there is a rain delay! I would have like to have heard the comments! It was still great just to see the footage.

I'm glad you are not one of the Sr fans that chooses to find reasons why the Kings accomplishments pale to Sr. I have run into a couple, not a ton, but a couple, who just won't give him his due. That always baffles me. I think they are both great. And it just seems there is always another great driver to follow. Dale came in as Richard was winding down, Gordon came in as Sr got older. Sr was much more competitive during that time than Richard was at the end of his career. Petty raced about 5 years too long, at least.

Now we have Gordon there. I still think it will be interesting, as he gets older, what his legacy will be. He just seems to be a normal person, just not the person the Richard or Dale were. That is not a bash, just how it is. Dale and Richard were hard drivers, for harder times. Some think the King was just a nice guy, but not behind the wheel. That broad smile didn't exist on the track.

Still, Jeff does a good job representing the sport. He stays out of trouble, races hard, wins, and just does most things right.

I was glad to see Tony Stewart in there. I know a lot of folks don't like him, but I do. I don't like everything he does, at times he makes me mad, but I think at least he is honest in what he does. That is the biggest thing about todays racing I don't like. the canned personalities.

I guess we can't have it all. Tony gets ripped for some of the dumb stuff he says, and we get on JG for being bland.

At least we can agree that we love the sport!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I'm glad you are not one of the Sr fans that chooses to find reasons why the Kings accomplishments pale to Sr. I have run into a couple, not a ton, but a couple, who just won't give him his due. That always baffles me. I think they are both great. And it just seems there is always another great driver to follow. Dale came in as Richard was winding down, Gordon came in as Sr got older. Sr was much more competitive during that time than Richard was at the end of his career. Petty raced about 5 years too long, at least.

Now we have Gordon there. I still think it will be interesting, as he gets older, what his legacy will be. He just seems to be a normal person, just not the person the Richard or Dale were. That is not a bash, just how it is. Dale and Richard were hard drivers, for harder times. Some think the King was just a nice guy, but not behind the wheel. That broad smile didn't exist on the track.

I was glad to see Tony Stewart in there. I know a lot of folks don't like him, but I do. I don't like everything he does, at times he makes me mad, but I think at least he is honest in what he does. That is the biggest thing about todays racing I don't like. the canned personalities.

At least we can agree that we love the sport!

Good points with Petty/Earnhardt/Gordon. I started following NASCAR in 1985, so I think I missed the best of Richard. However, as I've said before, I knew the name Richard Petty and the 43 STP car when I was in grade school.

I also like Tony, and as I said, I'm surprised he made the Top 20. He's come a long way from those early "angry" days.

As for Gordon, you said it well. I also don't see JG having the almost mythical quality about him that Richard and Dale have. What I don't get, and I'm as guilty as the next guy/gal, is why we have to compare the three. All three were/are talented, but each in their own way. Completely different driving styles, and you can't compare the Petty/Earnhardt era to the Gordon era.

And yes, we can agree that we love the sport ... what's left of the "sport" that is ...

[Pepsi One]

One Earnhardt should be head and shoulders above Petty because as one of the drivers said Petty had the best equipment, one thing you'll notice in all of his highlights is that Petty's not racing anyone, he was always a mile ahead of the field, does that sound like racing or driving to you?

Two if Gordon died today, he'd become as popular as Earnhardt and move up two spots on that list, you dont know anyone who could drive like senior, well this is the man, because when senior was alive it was the young schooling the old, there heads up stats when gordon was in Winston and senior was alive was *52 races to 26, and 4 titles to one, Im not saying Gordon was better but you have to at least consider it a possiblity.

I think this is what it was, they displayed it when Gordon passed Earnhardt on the all time wins list!

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

One Earnhardt should be head and shoulders above Petty because as one of the drivers said Petty had the best equipment, one thing you'll notice in all of his highlights is that Petty's not racing anyone, he was always a mile ahead of the field, does that sound like racing or driving to you?

Two if Gordon died today, he'd become as popular as Earnhardt and move up two spots on that list, you dont know anyone who could drive like senior, well this is the man, because when senior was alive it was the young schooling the old, there heads up stats when gordon was in Winston and senior was alive was *52 races to 26, and 4 titles to one, Im not saying Gordon was better but you have to at least consider it a possiblity.

I think this is what it was, they displayed it when Gordon passed Earnhardt on the all time wins list!

That's the kind of comment I talk about, when I say Petty is not given any credit. What about him and David Pearson, Bobby Allison. Neither of those names ever did much, huh?? Of course when they are talking about Petty, they are going to show him up front.

That is typical of the folks who don't give him his due. Very sad statement by you, in my opinion. Funny how only the Dale Sr fans make that kind of comment.

Thanks for making my point.

Dale was a great driver, though. I have no issues with giving him his due, even if ya do rip the King.

[wardfan]

The only reason Earnhardt was 1 & Petty was 2 was because he died.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by wardfan

The only reason Earnhardt was 1 & Petty was 2 was because he died.

That's certainly a strong statement, but I honestly feel the same way. Yeah, Petty had the best equipment, but Dale did for a time as well just as Jeff Gordon does right now. I've always talked about work ethic of yesterday's drivers compared to today's, but there's no question that given the equipment, a good driver will do good things. As for Petty running away with his victories, that's just the way it was back then. There wasn't a whole lot of parity. It wasn't just Richard but often every race winner. Dale raced that way for a good part of his career too.

[Mike24]

I can't believe Sr was ahead of Petty. So we are saying 76 wins is better than 200? Both have 7 championships, but when you look at the wins, Petty is better.

I was also surprised to see Bobby Allison ahead of Gordon. While Allison was a great driver, overall Gordon is better in my opinion. I would have to disagree with ESPN's list.

1. Richard Petty
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. David Pearson
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Darrell Waltrip

That would be my list, then again, that's just my opinion.

[wardfan]

I didn't mean any disrespect to Earnhardt, its just the way people think about things.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Mike24

I can't believe Sr was ahead of Petty. So we are saying 76 wins is better than 200? Both have 7 championships, but when you look at the wins, Petty is better.

I was also surprised to see Bobby Allison ahead of Gordon. While Allison was a great driver, overall Gordon is better in my opinion. I would have to disagree with ESPN's list.

1. Richard Petty
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. David Pearson
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Darrell Waltrip

That would be my list, then again, that's just my opinion.

I like that list, but I do think Allison scoots ahead of Gordon just by comparison of eras. The 2 is a toss up between Pearson and Earnhardt. I give Dale the advantage because of his determination and will.

I just want to add that as roll into the future, picking out the top drivers will get difficult because more and more of them will be climbing the win ladder. I think 60 is a good benchmark when looking at today's drivers, a nice difficult number to reach, but not too far out of sight for the youngsters that are already piling them up.

[PettyBlue]

I never understood the,he had the best equip. when people speak of Petty.Please explain.