[Gotham Dark Knight]

Okay, so I am trying to do my homework cause, lets face it, I don't know Nascar...and I ran across this article on "Racing Universal Rankings"...and from what I can tell, the Nascar guys don't dominate the Rankings...how come? For those of you who hate Gordon, he is only ranked 40th...and Danica Patrick 138th...how do these rankings hold up?...are they Legit?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;...yhoo&type=lgns

[LSC9901]

Those are pretty interesting even though I don't understand the rankings. I realize that a lot of people do not like Gordon but to rank Harvick higher than Gordon seems way off base. It seems to me that looking at an overall career, Gordon is a far better driver than Harvick. Just the stats alone would say that. I also cannot understand why NASCAR doesn't rank higher. They have far more fans and far more media coverage than any other motor sport in the US. Obviously this was wrtten by someone who lives under a rock.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Those are pretty interesting even though I don't understand the rankings. I realize that a lot of people do not like Gordon but to rank Harvick higher than Gordon seems way off base. It seems to me that looking at an overall career, Gordon is a far better driver than Harvick. Just the stats alone would say that. I also cannot understand why NASCAR doesn't rank higher. They have far more fans and far more media coverage than any other motor sport in the US. Obviously this was wrtten by someone who lives under a rock.

I was thinking the rankings were for this year?...am I wrong?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

I was thinking the rankings were for this year?...am I wrong?

It appears to be for this year but I still don't understand the rankings. I'm not a big open wheel fan, mainly because I have never spent much time following it, but as I noted previously I find it difficult to first believe that Harvick outranks Gordon and with the popularity of NASCAR itself I don't understand why more drivers are not on the higher end of the list.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

It appears to be for this year but I still don't understand the rankings. I'm not a big open wheel fan, mainly because I have never spent much time following it, but as I noted previously I find it difficult to first believe that Harvick outranks Gordon and with the popularity of NASCAR itself I don't understand why more drivers are not on the higher end of the list.

That of course begs the question...can you really compare the different types of racing out there...and make a fair comparison?...Is a Formula I driver more or less skilled than a NASCAR driver?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

That of course begs the question...can you really compare the different types of racing out there...and make a fair comparison?...Is a Formula I driver more or less skilled than a NASCAR driver?

Again, not knowing or understanding just how they compute these power rankings makes understanding them that much more difficult and yes the different types of vehicles and tracks can certainly add to the confusion. Just in NASCAR alone there are some that excel in road courses where the oval track superstars seem to falter. Maybe we need to do our own power rankings, although without scientific evidence it would probably be nothing more than a popularity contest.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Again, not knowing or understanding just how they compute these power rankings makes understanding them that much more difficult and yes the different types of vehicles and tracks can certainly add to the confusion. Just in NASCAR alone there are some that excel in road courses where the oval track superstars seem to falter. Maybe we need to do our own power rankings, although without scientific evidence it would probably be nothing more than a popularity contest.

If we did an honest ranking, with skill of driving abilities of all types of series Tony Steward would have to be frist.

[Smoke842]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

If we did an honest ranking, with skill of driving abilities of all types of series Tony Steward would have to be frist.

Gma, Gma. People are going to start thinking I am paying you...not true. I swear. Smoke is just a kick ass racer. And Gma agrees with me. Thank you, Gma.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Okay, so I am trying to do my homework cause, lets face it, I don't know Nascar...and I ran across this article on "Racing Universal Rankings"...and from what I can tell, the Nascar guys don't dominate the Rankings...how come? For those of you who hate Gordon, he is only ranked 40th...and Danica Patrick 138th...how do these rankings hold up?...are they Legit?

"The Universal Power Rankings compares several top series to see how the superstars of each match up. It tracks results of major forms of racing in the United States, from sprint cars to open wheel, from dirt late models to road racers, and, of course, NASCAR. We will even check in to see how the wine and cheese set in Europe compares to the hometown crowd. Since every major series has its own point system, we've simplified the matter and given the drivers percentage points based on the level of competition and the size of the field. Most of the series tracked in the Universal Power Rankings start with 100 points for a first-place finish and decrease according to the size of the field. For example, the second-place driver in a 50-car field receives 98 points and each driver below him receives two fewer points until the 50th-place driver gets only two. In a 25-car field, the second-place driver receives 96 points, and the drop-off is four points per position. This rewards drivers for consistently finishing near the front and levels the playing field."

And I thought Tolstoy was a confusing author? I would guess this ranking proves what every statistician knows, you can make numbers tell you whatever you want them to tell you.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by Smoke842

Gma, Gma. People are going to start thinking I am paying you...not true. I swear. Smoke is just a kick ass racer. And Gma agrees with me. Thank you, Gma.

Your welcome, but its not just my opinion. I've heard it said a couple time.
Don't ask me where. My senior moments

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

And I thought Tolstoy was a confusing author? I would guess this ranking proves what every statistician knows, you can make numbers tell you whatever you want them to tell you.

Ah, the ugly truth comes out...yes, numbers can be spun to say whatever it is you want...So, what would be the simplest way to compare drivers from different venues?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Ah, the ugly truth comes out...yes, numbers can be spun to say whatever it is you want...So, what would be the simplest way to compare drivers from different venues?

My gut tells me it can't be done. They drive different machines with different charactoristics on difference tracks in different conditions. Besides the ranking leave out some other venues of racing. How about the weekly series around the world? The Grand Touring Series? The Off-Road Series? The Snowmobile Series? The lawn tractor racers? ad finitum.
It's apples and oranges.

[LSC9901]

I'm in agreement with you Bob. The differences are to wide and varied to make a good comparison. If you just look at NASCAR rankings you'l see a difference in the abilities VS points earned. Somewhere in the evaluation system you have to factor in the luck that that they all have. Some of it is good luck and some of it is bad luck.

I'll just continue to support the drivers I like and cheer them on when they advance within the point system rankings.