Fox has a view of todays drivers vs old school drivers In previous eras of racing, though, much was the same as it is now. There were drivers fans loved and drivers fans reviled. There were drivers with such smooth styles behind the wheel they seemed to sneak up on the competition and others who flat-out ran into and over those in front of them. There were gentleman racers and those who didnt hold to those characteristics quite so well.
With that in mind, we thought wed take a look at which modern-day drivers compare closely to their predecessors.
(1)--Mark Martin and Harry Gant
There are many more similarities between these two than just the ability to win after age 50, though that's a significant comparison. Gant was always viewed as a humble racer who was cautious in accepting his success and generally publicly thankful for it. Martin he, by the way, has won five races since turning 50; Gant won eight has long been known for his graciousness and humbleness even when chasing the title and winning multiple races. They're also both well recognized for their outstanding performances in what is now the Nationwide Series.
(2)--Matt Kenseth and Terry Labonte
Kenseth and Labonte are two of the smoothest racers around, men who'll tend to sneak up on you when you think the top-10 drivers are already set in the field. Each possesses the ability to work with the crew and be in the best position in the final laps of the race. Even-keeled, they generally hold their temper during a dispute. Dont think that makes them simply accept things, though, because each is a fierce competitor. Kenseth has a championship; Labonte has two. And both have a wicked sense of humor, something that shows up at surprising moments.
(3)--Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty
Both Gordon and Petty have eclipsed the competition during their eras, setting records and a pace others have struggled to keep up with. Gordon won four titles in the prime of his career; Petty won seven. Yet each showed the ability to rally past setbacks, to keep his car under him and come out a winner in the race. They shared another trait for much of their careers as well each enjoyed spans where, as long as his car held up, he was certain to either win or finish well in every single race he ran. Each is also a diverse racer, proving to be a threat on any type of track configuration.
(4)--Jimmie Johnson and David Pearson
One thing can be said about both of these drivers: They can win every single time they show up at the track. Thats the key comparison between the two talented men, both of whom hold championships and both of whom have spots waiting in the Hall of Fame. Pearson will be inducted in the class of 2011, and Johnson should go into the Hall the moment he's eligible. Pearson won three championships over the course of four seasons (1966, '68 and '69) and is second on the all-time wins list with 105. Johnson won the past five Cup titles and has 53 Cup victories to his credit to date.
(5)--Kyle Busch and Darrell Waltrip
Both Busch and Waltrip were noted for their expressive comments and unfailing confidence. Fortunately, both backed it up with stellar performances on the track. Aggressive competitors, each had a fierce and intense desire to win and the talent and team to go out and do so. Waltrip won 84 races, tied for third overall, and three Cup championships during his career. Busch has 19 Cup wins and seems certain to be a champion one day. Overall, he has won the Nationwide title and has 86 overall victories in NASCARs three major touring series.
(6)--Kevin Harvick and Bobby Allison
Both Harvick and Allison were talented men who understood both what it takes to make a car go fast and how to manage a race so one can take advantage of that. Neither showed a propensity to back down from a challenge. Allison won a championship and 84 Cup races (85, according to some); Harvick has a pair of Nationwide titles, 14 Cup wins to date and fell just short of winning his first Sprint Cup title in 2010.
(7)--Ryan Newman and Alan Kulwicki
Newman might not be a team owner as Kulwicki was, but he brings the same analytical style to his career. Kulwicki held a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and won the 1992 title. Newman has a degree in vehicle structure engineering from Purdue. Kulwicki earned five Cup wins and amassed 24 poles in his career. Newman has 14 Cup wins and 46 poles.
(8)--Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace
Early in their careers, Busch and Wallace were noted for being outspoken on any issue. Both could be counted on to offer an informed opinion on NASCAR issues of the day usually in fairly colorful fashion. Each was quick to both praise and criticize those racing around them. They also changed teams shortly after winning their championship. Busch won the 2004 Cup title and has quietly racked up 22 Cup wins; Wallace won the 1989 cup and earned 55 victories.
(9)--Tony Stewart and Cale Yarborough
Another pair of drivers who could be fiery when warranted, Stewart and Yarborough were annual championship threats. Yarborough won three consecutive titles (1976-78) and 83 races. Stewart has won two titles and 39 Cup races. A couple of seasons after that third championship, Yarborough decided to go after what he wanted in life, leaving the productive Junior Johnson organization to move to a part-time schedule. Stewart also followed his own dream, leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and his two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli to become co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and compete under his own banner.
(10)--Joey Logano and Bill Rexford
Talk about your young sensations. Logano entered the Cup arena as a heralded 18-year-old, a driver who'd been working around Mark Martin and who had a reputation for winning. He continued that trend in NASCAR, where he became the series youngest race winner when he took the June 2009 victory at New Hampshire at age 19 years, one month and four days. Rexford, meanwhile, won NASCARs second series championship in 1950 at 23. Logano appears to be in it for more of the long haul, though, as Rexford retired from racing at 26.
Now what is your take on this and do you have a list??
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
