Last month I discussed common NASCAR myths, and
analyzed the findings of a panel of experts' choices for the 50 greatest
drivers in NASCAR history. The next two months we will devote a
special edition of this column, to accurately rank both the all time top 50
and the current era top 10 drivers. Unlike NASCAR's list there will be no
compromises which come from taking several viewpoints, and combining them
into a "stew" of a who's who at the racetrack.
Each driver's accomplishments have been carefully recorded and scrutinized,
and the end results will provide a remarkably historic picture of what
actually happened both yesterday and today.
In this comparison we'll discuss briefly why each driver is ranked where he
is, and why.
But before we begin it's necessary to establish specific criteria to
determine greatness. Are stock car racing's best drivers simply the ones
who won the most races? The most points championships? Are they the
drivers who won the most money over a long career? Should we consider the
one year wonders like Leroy Yarbrough? Are quality drivers like Davey
Allison and Fireball Roberts, who died in their 30's to be considered? Does
a long career set a better standard, or is the measure of true greatness
determined by how hard a driver was to beat at the peak of his career? And
if we use the latter standard, how many peak years must a driver have to
qualify as an all-time great?
Our answer to those questions is a simple one. If a car owner could pick
any driver in any era to represent him, who would he choose? In that regard
we will rate the drivers along with their team members. We will look at
the driver who could generate the most money per start, and each decade of
drivers brings a different person to the forefront in that category. But
most money per start, although an important part of the picture, is not the
only part. To be an all time top 50 driver, one had to have success on both
long and short tracks. Our drivers must also be tough to beat in a duel to
the checkered flag, and drivers who enjoyed success for less than five
years, will be given proportionately less credit. We will also examine
expediency of greatness, and look at how long it took each driver to reach
certain milestones, like winning all the superspeedways, and all the major
short tracks. With these standards in place let's take a ride through
NASCAR history and see who makes the prestigious TOP 50.
Before we begin though, one fact must be stated. Stock car racing, like
most other sports, has a short list of true superstars. In this regard
there are only 14 drivers who are interchangeable. Those 14 in comparable
equipment, would win most, if not all, of the races that anyone else in the
top 14 would win. The remaining 36 are great drivers all, but not
superstars. With that information in toe, let's look at the 50 greatest
drivers in stock car racing history.
1) Fred Lorenzen- It took the "Golden Boy" just six years in a
Holman-Moody Ford to become the only driver in NASCAR history (at the time)
to win races at all five of the south's original superspeedways. Richard Petty needed
two decades to reach the same milestone. From 1961 to early 1967, Lorenzen
won a quarter of the races he entered and placed in the top 10 half the
time. A remarkable feat when one considers the attrition rate in those days
was far greater than today. He set new standards for consecutive wins with
six in 1964, driver earnings, and successive victories at the same track with
three straight Atlanta 500 wins from 1962-64. Like golfing great Bobby Jones
who ended his career at age 30, Lorenzen retired at 32. A comeback two and
a half years later in non competitive cars resulted in several top five
finishes, but no wins. At the peak of his career though, there was no one
tougher to beat.
2) Glenn "Fireball" Roberts- Appropriately called a legend, Fireball
Roberts was NASCAR's first driver to achieve nine victories on the big racetracks. Second
to none in pure physical skill, Glenn could drive the short tracks as well,
and dominated Hall of Famers Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, and
Joe Weatherly during his entire career. Sadly, a racing accident at Charlotte
Motor Speedway would claim his life in 1964, and inspire a poem by
sportswriter Charlie Harvell.
3) David Pearson- The "Silver Fox" had a combination of driving
skill and savvy. Although his performance in head to head competition with both Fred
Lorenzen and Fireball Roberts was comparatively poor, Pearson went on to
reach superstardom in the late 60's and 70's. Winning Rockingham in 1968
made him the second driver in NASCAR history to score wins at all five of
the "old" superspeedways. With 105 career wins which encompassed both
superspeedways and short tracks, Pearson was equally adept at winning on any
paved surface. A car owners dream, David always finished higher than the
car would have finished with virtually anyone else in the cockpit, and
rightfully earned a place on the all time Top 50 list.
4) Bobby Allison- Leader of the Alabama gang, Bobby Allison enjoyed success
over a long career. Had he been offered a quality ride earlier in his
career, his all time win totals no doubt would have been higher. Frequently
outdriving Richard Petty in head to head duels, Allison picked up where Fred
Lorenzen left off as Ford's number one driver. One of only a few drivers
in NASCAR history to win races in his late 40's, and even a Daytona 500 at
age 50, Bobby remained competitive until the day he was forced into
retirement following a 1988 crash.
5) Tim Flock- The only driver of the 1950's to draw comparisons to Fireball
Roberts, Tim won an astonishing 21.2% of the races he entered on all tracks.
Possessing lightning reflexes, and nerves of steel, Tim was a threat to win
on any track with any car. Sadly his peak occurred before the big paydays,
and Flock was expelled from NASCAR for his part in attempting to
organize a drivers union in 1961.
6) Jeff Gordon- Perhaps the only driver in the modern era who could have
competed and won consistently in any era, Gordon may be the best "natural"
race driver in history. A technical marvel behind the wheel, Jeff
frequently makes his competition look like amateurs. Still a young man
capable of competing another twenty years, he may ascend to the top of the
chart before his driving career comes to an end.
7) Richard Petty- Called "The King" because of his 200 career wins, Richard
stepped into a quality car at the age of 21 and proved his mettle by setting
records for both Cup Championships, and total victories. Had Richard been
more competitive on the superspeedways early in his career, when Fred
Lorenzen and Fireball Roberts were dominating the big tracks, he'd
have even more wins. Even so, King Richard proved himself over decades, and is
an automatic selection on any all time list.
8) Cale Yarborough- Few drivers in NASCAR history drove a car harder than
the "Timmonsville Flash."
Always a threat to win, Cale was a heady driver who charged
through the pack, took the lead, and tried to widen it every lap. A mixed
package of physical skill, nerve and intellect, Cale was as good
as they come.
9) Darrell Waltrip- DW was a crafty, flashy, and highly skilled
driver equally talented at winning on short tracks and superspeedways.
Although he experienced failure due in large part to marginal cars in his final
competitive years, in his prime Waltrip was among the best.
10) Herb Thomas- A true NASCAR pioneer, Thomas was perhaps the most
underrated driver in the sports history. His 48 career wins included both
short and long tracks, and he banged doors successfully with the best
driver's of his era.
11) Dale Earnhardt- The "Man in Black" was a no holds barred charger who
seldom made a mistake on the racetrack. Fortunately for Dale, his career
peaked in the 1980's and 90's. Had he arrived two decades earlier, the
Intimidator would have found that Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, and
Junior Johnson were not as easily intimidated as today's current
crop of stars.
12) Buck Baker- A true champion who raced hard and clean, Buck was a race
driver's race driver. He was a technical wizard behind the wheel, and won
races at every stage of his illustrious career.
13) Davey Allison- A gifted young driver who tragically died in a helicopter
accident at the height of his career. Allison was every bit as good as his
famous father, and would have seen victory lane another seventy five times
had he lived.
14) Tim Richmond- Another driver who died before his time, Tim Richmond was a
charismatic charger who, "drove the wheels" off every car he raced.
Controversial in his off track life, Tim like Fireball Roberts and Curtis
Turner, enjoyed a good party. On race day though he was all business.
Unlike many drivers, Tim never lost a race from lack of driving skill.
15) Lee Petty- He didn't begin his racing career until relatively late in
life, but Lee got the most from every car he entered. A hard nosed
competitor and once the sport's all time winner, Lee Petty was a short track
ace, and a great superspeedway driver as well.
16) Jim Paschal- A teammate of Richard Petty in the 1960's, Jim was an ultra
smooth driver out of the Buck Baker mold. His 25 career wins attest to a
superb driving ability, as he usually raced the #2 Petty car.
17) Junior Johnson- No one in the history of the sport drove a car with more
reckless abandon than the "Ronda Roadrunner."
Although his superspeedway win totals are small, Junior was a short track
master who could bang doors with the best of them. Had he raced in the
modern era with more durable equipment, Junior Johnson may have won 100
races.
18) Rusty Wallace- One of NASCAR's all time winners over a long career,
Wallace has maintained his driving savvy well into his 40's. Aside from
Jeff Gordon, perhaps the only one of today's drivers who has truly reached
legendary status.
19) Marvin Panch- "Pancho" earned a stellar reputation as a versatile driver
of both the Wood Brothers Ford, and a variety of sports cars, including the
Maseratti he was tragically burned in in 1963. A superb driver, Panch once
finished a millisecond behind Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen in a photo
finish at Daytona.
20) Bobby Isaac-Another victim of a racing accident, Bobby Isaac was the
dominant qualifier of his time, in the K and K Insurance company Dodge.
Bobby's 37 career wins include success on small tracks and superspeedways.
Perhaps his biggest accomplishment was starting dead last at Daytona for the
Firecracker 400-- and winning the race.
21) Jack Smith- Jack was a rough and tumble country boy who was highly
superstitious. No green cars or women in the pits around Jack. That may
have made it hard for him to compete today, but Jack Smith was a hell bent
for leather chauffeur who didn't like to relinquish the lead. He won the
inaugural Volunteer 500 at Bristol, and 20 more races to go along with it.
22)Ned Jarrett- A two time Grand National Champion with 50 career wins,
Jarrett was a short track expert who struggled on the superspeedways. None
the less he was a car owners dream who stayed out of trouble, and usually
finished his car in the money.
23) Joe Weatherly- When little Joe's life ended at Riverside
Raceway, he was in pursuit of his third Grand National championship. A
talented man who raced motorcycles as well as stock cars earlier in life,
Joe could drive anything with wheels.
24) Bill Elliott- The most popular driver in NASCAR history, Bill teamed with
his engine builder brother Ernie to create the fastest car on the Winston
Cup circuit. Over a four year period Elliott was THE dominant force in
stock car racing.
25) Speedy Thompson- An early pioneer who worked on his own cars, Speedy
competed with the likes of Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, Tim Flock, and
Lee Petty and came out on top 20 times. An accomplished driver, he was a
challenger in any race.
26) Dick Hutcherson- Holman and Moody's short track expert, Dick amassed 14
wins in just three season's. Learning to drive in the midwest, he came to
the south with the intent of winning. There were few better on a half mile
oval.
27) Leroy Yarbrough- Out of the Junior Johnson school of hard chargers,
Leroy had one of the greatest seasons in racing history in 1969, when he
dominated the superspeedways. Although his career was comparatively short,
Leroy was almost impossible to beat when at the top of his game.
28) Terry Labonte- The "Iceman" proved to be both durable and consistent by
winning Winston Cup titles in different decades. Always a thinker, Terry
can trade paint with NASCAR's best, and usually come out on top.
29) Buddy Baker- A lead footed lap leader who never liked to run second,
Buddy had no fear of anyone or anything. In a better ride Buddy Baker had
the physical skill to have won many more times in his career.
30) Curtis Turner- The North Carolina lumberman was a brash, aggressive
charger who gave no quarter and expected none.
Seldom concerned with whether his car would finish the race, he ran every
lap as if it was the last one.
31) Rex White- A former Grand National champion White was a gifted short
track driver, who usually finished his car in the top 10. Never noted as a
superspeedway threat, Rex was none the less a formidable foe on the half
milers and dirt tracks throughout the south.
32) Harry Gant- "Handsome" Harry Gant was smooth as 75-year-old scotch. He
avoided accidents, charged when it was smart to do so, and frequently won.
33) Mark Martin- A steady operator who shows equal skill in both
superspeedways and road courses, Mark has earned a reputation as a gritty
competitor who ranks among the sports all time leading money winners.
34) Ricky Rudd- A contemporary of Martin, Rudd has earned a reputation as a
a man of varied talent. Equally comfortable on a superspeedway, a road
course, or a short track, Ricky Rudd ranks as one of NASCAR's all time
leading winners.
35) Bobby Labonte- A Winston Cup titleist who is consistent on race
tracks of all configuration, Bobby constantly places his car in the money
and is a perennial Winston Cup title contender.
36) Ernie Irvan- Similar to Curtis Turner, Ernie was a front runner who
took no prisoners on his way to the lead. Irvan was seriously injured in a
racing crash, and never quite returned to his former level of excellence.
Tough to beat in a fight to the
finish, Irvan was a crowd pleaser who had his detractors on the race track.
37) Geoffrey Bodine- A smart driver who was easily the most talented of the
famous Bodine brothers. Geoff won races over many years, and in his prime
was as good as anyone in his era.
38) Donnie Allison- Along with Junior Johnson, Curtis Turner, Fireball
Roberts, Buddy Baker, Cale Yarbourough, and Dale Earnhardt, a flat out
driver who would have won more races had he had better equipment. Anyone
who bought a ticket to see Donnie race was never disappointed.
39) A.J. Foyt- Tex Foyt like Joe Weatherly could drive anything with wheels.
A hard nosed man, on and off the racetrack, he was always a threat in the
Wood Brothers Ford. Although primarily classified as a open wheel superstar,
Foyt was respected by drivers on every circuit that he competed.
40) Tony Stewart- A young driver better known for his short temper than
driving ability, Tony can bump and bang with the best of them. If he
continues to run NASCAR, Stewart will win 80 races before he retires.
41) Neil Bonnett- Another member of the famed Alabama gang, Neil was a smart
driver who sadly lost his life on the race track. An understudy of Bobby
Allison, Neil learned from one of the best, and thus became one of the best.
42) Benny Parsons- A good 'ol boy from North Carolina, Benny was a solid
driver who won races, and finished his car among the leaders virtually every
week. Not one to risk his car in a reckless manor, Benny made money for his
car owners every year.
43) Dale Jarrett- The son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett, Dale is a
better superspeedway driver than his dad. Always a thinker on the
racetrack, he challenges for Winston Cup titles on an annual basis.
44) Darel Dieringer- Always a challenger, Darel drove his
Bill Stroup Mercury and other rides to seven career wins. In modern times
with a consistent car capable of finishing races, Dieringer would have seen
victory circle many more times.
45) Paul Goldsmith- One of the more underrated driver's in racing history,
Goldsmith could drive Indy cars and stock cars with equal capability.
Although he ran NASCAR only part time, all his competitors were watching
Paul during practice and qualifying, and usually taking notes.
46) Bob Welborn- A charter member of the "Pontiac Pack" of the early 60's,
Bob was a leader who always posed a winning
challenge. One of the last of NASCAR's true pioneers, Bob traded paint with
Fireball Roberts, Junior Johnson, Lee Petty and others, and held his own on
many occasions.
47) Dan Gurney- Perhaps the greatest road course driver in NASCAR history,
Gurney seemingly won the Riverside 500 every time he entered. On an oval he
would have been every bit as good. Unfortunately for NASCAR fans, Dan
restricted his activity to a handful of races.
48) Nelson Stacy- Teammate of Fred Lorenzen and Fireball Roberts, Stacy was
far less publicized than his famous stablemates. Winner of Charlotte,
Darlington, and Martinsville by one of the largest margins of victory in
racing history, Nelson Stacy was one of the best. Had his racing career
begun a decade earlier (Stacy was in his 40's when he signed with
Holman-Moody) he would have retired with over 30 career wins.
49) Tom Pistone- The toughest guy to beat on quarters and half milers ever,
"Tiger" Tom was the king of short tracks. Unfortunately for NASCAR fans, he
spent most of his career in the mid west, and seldom had a quality car when
he did race in the south.
50) Cotton Owens- A "Pontiac Packer" along with Fireball Roberts, Junior
Johnson, Bob Welborn and others, Cotton was a master car builder as well as
a great driver.
Well, there you have it. Stock car racing's 50 greatest drivers. No fluff,
no twisted facts, just the truth.
So will these men be replaced in years to come? Some will. Some will not.
But make no mistake about it-- each has earned a place in stock car racing
history.
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