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A look back at most overrated drivers
Back in April I wrote a post on who I thought was the most overrated drivers in Cup today. They were: 1-Jammie Mcmurray, 2-Brian Vickers, 3-Kasey Kahne. If I were to make a new cast of overrated drivers I still think these three would be in. I haven't been that impressed with Mcmurray all year. He's lead one lap all year and everyone keeps talking about how good he will do at Roush. What ever. May bee, but so far he ain't done &^%$. Now, Kasey Kahne won this year but since then has been a no factor. On top of all that he showed his *** this weekend trying to wreck Kyle Bush. Don't be mad Kasey just cause Kyle is the newest young gun taking all your glory. Last is Brian Vickers. He's been running the best he s ever run and still not showing me much. He's had some good finishes but no wins. OK, now its time to add some more names to my list. I might be way out of line for saying this but I think Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick are in the overrated list as well. I don't think it was a fluke that Jr. didn't make the chase this year. I think it was a fluke he made it last year. As far as Kevin Harvick goes, he hasn't made it either year so that should say enough. That s my new list for the rest of the year. Last time I made a list the three drivers I had all had top ten finishes the next week. May bee this will help them get back in it.
September 21, 2005 in Race talk | Permalink
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» Over-Rated? from In The Grandstands
Apparently the rear tire carrier for Ryan Newman believes most of the success Junior has had in the past is just...A Fluke.
[quote] OK, now its time to add some more names to my list. I might be way out of line for saying this but I think Dale Earn... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 26, 2005 3:01:12 PM
Comments
Wow Trent! Somebody's in a bad mood? I agree with you on the Jr. being over-rated! HELLO JR. FANS....YALL AREN"T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE RACE!!!!!! This just proves he's known for his name! Trent, be nice to Kasey Kahne! He's one of my favorite drivers out there...he's always the underdog, and has the worst of luck!
SEE YOU IN DOVER...I made over 50 rice crispy treats for yall...homemade too!!!!!
Posted by: Jen | Sep 21, 2005 11:43:49 AM
Ohhhh Trent...You are killin me with addin Dale Jr to your list. He had one year that has not been so stellar, but havent they all. Dale Jr is a good driver and stepped up his game last year winning on all kinds of tracks.
Overrated in this sport equates to the media covering drivers and imposing their own expectations on these drivers. Then they cover it accordingly no matter what level they are running. Kasey Kahne and Dale Jr are 2 of the sports most popular drivers right now, but obviously the fan base is not about how many wins or how they are running. And while you would think the coverage should be about racing, there are always those media outlets that are going to broadcast along those popularity lines for ratings. This sport is functionin just like Hollywood, cuz at the end of the day it is about ratings and $$
Obviously wins dont necesarily define the driver's capabilities. Mark Martin is a great driver but does not have the wins recently to show it. And as for Jr being overrated, well.....I think his popularity is in a league of its own and the media continues to keep him a bit oversaturated. But I am interested in some facts on why you think he is overrated as a driver, not popularity. Cuz living up to the constant media hype of Dale Jr is unrealistic.
Newman is certainly underrated, but Dale Jr's driving ability is sometimes overshadowed by his popularity media frenzy. So why is it you think he cant drive? Because I happen to be a fan of both and I am going to say if we are going on stats....they are both better than what the record shows and I am sure there are a multitude of reasons why. Nonetheless both drivers have finished in the top 10 in recent years. Dale Jr not being in it this year is not as simple as just a fluke. That story has many plots
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 11:51:44 AM
I agree with you Trent that Jamie McMurray and Kasey Kahne are overrated. All I hear about is how Kahne is the future of Evernham Motorsports, and he may be, but, Jeremy Mayfield is the present, he's made the chase twice, and he's not even having a great year. What does that tell ya. Dale Earnhardt Jr is overrated, but he'll have to turn into Superman not to be overrated with as much attention that is placed on him. Michael Waltrip is overrated as well. I have to disagree about Vickers, even though I dislike him, he's improved alot from last year. Kevin Harvick is a victim of RCR's struggles.
The most underrated drivers are Greg Biffle, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, and in the Busch Series Clint Bowyer. All you here about in the Busch Series is Truex Jr, Sorenson, and Carl Edwards.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Sep 21, 2005 11:52:36 AM
Definatly with you on Jamie, Brian too. Kasey had it going on last year but somethings missing this year. I like Harvick, but he hasn't been a contender in quite some time. I'm not brave enough to touch Junior, so I won't. Looking at the past few years I think you could add a few of the "veterans" to that list too. Jarrett, Petty, "Front row Joe", Sterling. I respect what they have done in the past, but in the last few years they haven't performed well. Oh, yeah, I forgot the most over rated driver, Jimmy Spencer!!
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Sep 21, 2005 12:01:08 PM
Dale Jr? Yeah, I believe he is way overrated, but Kevin Harvick? I don't think so. We all found out which Jr makes the Bud team go around, and that is Tony Eury Jr. He leaves, they suck. He comes back, top 5. 'Nuff said.
Kevin Harvick would be a lot better off leaving RCR unless a miracle happens between now and '07. The equipment is junk, but two straight top 10's is a huge rebound for them. Who knows? But I don't think Harvick is overrated.. the equipment is.
Posted by: Nick | Sep 21, 2005 12:06:09 PM
I think Kasey is overrated moreso because the expectaions were high after his 1st year. Now he has not performed at that level yet because he still got the fan base, he is still gettin all the coverage as they wait for him to breakout agin.
I dont know if his character or driving abilities are suited for that kind of pressure.
I agree with 9Jay12 with the list of drivers and on there being way more drivers that are underrated.
I think Vickers is still learning. The problem is that Drivers like Newman, kenseth Johnson etc came in and set the bar pretty high, and now all of the rookies are expected to perform at that level. ALthough the experience, much needed seat time, and coming through the rank is not as forgiving these days. It is right now, and void of any adjustment period
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 12:13:49 PM
Rashaun you hit the nail on the head:
"Overrated in this sport equates to the media covering drivers and imposing their own expectations on these drivers."
Excepting other drivers and owners, who are the best judge, others are attempting to accomplish something they aren't qualified to do and only base their conclusions, conscientiously or not, on that media coverage.
19jay12 you answered your own question, here is the question:
"Jeremy Mayfield is the present, he's made the chase twice, and he's not even having a great year. What does that tell ya?"
Heres your answer: "he's not even having a great year"
Posted by: Marc | Sep 21, 2005 4:09:12 PM
You're right Marc, I did answer my own question, and the answer you posted was only part of it. The correct answer to the question "Jeremy Mayfield is the present, he's made the chase twice, and he's not even having a great year. What does that tell ya?"
It tells me that if Mayfield isn't having a great year and he is in the chase, imagine where they would be if they could put together a really strong year.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Sep 21, 2005 5:01:09 PM
In most other sports, you are dealin with wins vs losses. However wins alone are not key right now, and you can see that just by lookin at the top 10. However consistency is the key, and even that has many layers
I am not even sure how to rate a driver these days. There are so many factors that make up the complete package that the lines are becoming blurry when it comes to performance as a whole.
So you can have a kick butt driver, but ya better have a good crew chief, a flawless pit crew, and good equipment. Then when ya get em in place, you better have the right strategy and the right calls. And still, even if ya get that right, ya better hope that the good ole x-factor, luck and the unknowns dont come in and eat you up.
I guess you can base some of where a driver is at in the points on his ability, but there are far too many factors that play a role that is beyond their control. SOme are on the outside lookin in, not because they cant drive, but because making it was contingent on who had the most pieces in place and at the right time when it was time to complete the puzzle
I am biased because I am a Newman fan. But I am tellin ya...He is better than a 10th place driver. I think the team will be on top of the things that they can control and put themself in place to capitalize on it but he is going to have to overcome a lot of other unknowns and have a little bit of luck go his way to take it, just like everybody else.
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 5:56:54 PM
Damn...my bad ya'll. I apologize for my long-windedness, but it does not seem that long when you are typing it. I am gonna revert to paraphrasing 101 for any of my future responses
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 6:03:34 PM
OK, I like what everyone is saying. Ill buy into the fact that JR. cant help the fact that everyone loves him. In order for him to live up to the media coverage that he gets he would have to win every race and dominate the Cup series. That aint happening. So I guess its not as much the drivers fault as it is the media making out who they think should be the next big thing. Also, who ever said that all the young guns set the bar so high, your right. It is a high bar set by some of the youngers guys and in order to meet what they have set your really going to have to put up some big numbers. Rashuan to answer your question about why I think JR. is overrated, I leave it like this. When ever we go to the track and talk about who is the driver or team to beat from week to week, JR.'s name never comes up. He's not feared by other drivers and he s not looked at as a threat week in and week out. We only go to speedways 4 times a year, other than that know one worries about him. Holla back.
Posted by: trent | Sep 21, 2005 6:06:17 PM
You know, to call any driver over rated simply because he did not make the chase is a smack in the face to every driver that starts his engine on race day. There is so much talent and money in Nextel, and to think that 10 set drivers will make the chase, and only that 10 each and every year, is moronic. So do you think that Jeff Gordon should suddenly be considered past his prime? My point is, they are all good at what they do. And for some reason, people tend to think that a driver being most popular means that he is the best at what he does. There is a hell of a lot of Dallas Cowboy fans out there, and it doesn't mean that they are the best.
I am not upset that Jr and Gordon are not in the chase. If anything, it makes the sport more legit, because it does show that ANYONE can have an off year. Trent, you guys just won the first race of the chase, and instead of talking about momentum, you have chose to spotlight the very guys that you say are over rated.
Stop looking in the rear view mirror...the championship is ahead of you, not behind. Worry about those guys next year, because they are not a factor this one.
PS. Good luck sunday, and I mean that
Posted by: brian | Sep 21, 2005 6:18:51 PM
Humm Dale Jr overrated. Let's just say if his last name wasn't Earnhardt He would be changing your oil down at the local Quick Lube.
Posted by: Don | Sep 21, 2005 7:35:08 PM
The last name scenario is gettin old. He has run just as well and better than some of the other 43 drivers on race day, so to me that statement.....I would say if that is what we are going on, there are a lot of other ones that could be changin oil too.
There are other drivers out there that have racing in their family too, and some without 2 back to back busch championships along the way to get here. Just as there are multiple scenarios about how each got a ride in the Cup series, but a foot in the door doesnt necessarily keep you here. But once you get here hopefully they can capitalize on the opportunity. Politics play apart in the every day world, not just in racing.
Trent, I will roll with your observation about Jr not being a threat week to week in the garage. And that is my point....The expectations and competition throughout the garage often differs from the standards that are composed and portrayed by the media. But we as fans are presented with whatever the ohhh so biased media deems fit
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 8:29:59 PM
I agree with you Rashaun on the last name bit. It's old. But to say he is overrated is something that you need to get straight. People used to get upset because Jr only won at restrictor plate races. The following year he won on flat tracks, short tracks, etc. And people STILL said he didn't have talent. I think you people look for a racing God and quite honestly, with all the extreme competition out there today, you're not gonna get it.
And don't get me started on Kevin Harvick cause we can sit here all day and discuss him. :-)
Toodles
Posted by: Kali | Sep 21, 2005 8:44:52 PM
While the topic is about those that are overrated, the bigger percentage lies in those that are underrated and under exposed.
Obviously I am a Newman fan and would prefer to see more coverage. However there are fans of other drivers that get far less media access than even Newman.
They take certain drivers and try to spoon feed us their favortism. But no matter how they package it, it will continue to be ineffective to the unconditional and loyal fan.
What I have come to realize is that they can dictate what we hear and see, but it cant fade my Alltel Pride. I am all about countdown to green and prerace, but when the checkered flag flies....it is all about my headphones and race day scanner. I get all the 12 coverage I need in my ear piece, straight from the driver the crew cheif and da spotter!!
That slick move Newman dished on Sunday doesnt even represent a fraction of his talent. He encompasses much more as a driver than he gets credit for. But most miss out on the big picture, because they cant look past the fact that he is capable of more than just a good qualifying run. The last time I checked there werent any bonus points for poles yet he has been in the top 10 each year. So obviously media coverage is not a factor in them gettin it done....Who needs it anyways
Posted by: Rashaun | Sep 21, 2005 11:48:59 PM
I TOTALLY agree with you. SINCE when does "POPULAR" elevate one to "SUPER STAR" status. In NASCAR "super star" status in measured by performance NOT popularity. And as for performance nither Earnheardt jr or Kasey Kahne have the Wins/Years that equate to Super Star Status. There are other drivers that have been driving less years that Earnhardt jr that have more wins than he does, they're just not as vocal as the Beer King's fan's so you don't see the numbers as much. Thanks for pointing out the Great Hoax of the 2000's... Respectfully, tom
Posted by: tom moose | Sep 21, 2005 11:52:36 PM
I don't see how Earnhardt made your list. Yes it's true he does not have a championship yet but neither does Mark Martin. I guess that makes Mark Martin overrated too right? Earnhardt came into Nextel in 2000, since then he has 16 wins not including the Winston, the Bud Shootout, and his Gatorade 125 win. The only other driver that has joined Nextel since 2000 that even comes close to those numbers is Jimmie Johnson. You might want to re-work the way you rate a driver, but be careful, if you did that the driver of the Alltel #12 might make your list.
Posted by: ryan who | Sep 22, 2005 12:18:17 AM
Whoa whoa whoa... ryan who, are you crazy? Ryan Newman is the guy that won Rookie of the Year in 2002 over Jimmie Johnson. Lets not forget the.. what was it? 650 poles and 8 wins in 2003? In my opinion, Newman ranks higher than Jimmie right now.
Maybe this message will be considered overrated?
Posted by: Nick | Sep 22, 2005 12:39:15 AM
there is no doubt about it that JR should be at the top of the overrated list and it has nothing to do with not living up to the media expectations. it has to do with just being a mediocre driver. he's great on the superspeedways and he's won a couple of races away from the superspeedways, but as trent said, he's not a factor from week to week. he will never win a championship and don't be at all suprised if he's not any closer to the chase next year than he was this year. it's true championships aren't the only way to measure great drivers because mark martin doesn't have one yet and he IS a great driver. and making the chase isn't the only way to establish who's a great driver either because jeff gordon is also a great driver and he's not in the chase this year. but jr hasn't shown me anything other than the fact that he can win at daytona and talladega and to me, that is more a tribute to dei than to jr because his teammate michael waltrip has been able to win at those tracks as well.
Posted by: theodore | Sep 22, 2005 8:12:39 AM
Where's Newmans championship? Winning poles isn't winning races and ROY means squat. I'm adding Newman to the list. He's going to fade in the chase!
Posted by: Keith | Sep 22, 2005 8:18:29 AM
Trent,
Also, with all the info on the chase you could have blogged on. The insight you could have given us on the insides and outsides of the hunt first hand. You chose to bash other competitors. What a waste of space! And the word is "Maybe." "May bee" doesn't even make sense!
Posted by: Keith | Sep 22, 2005 8:59:32 AM
Keith - Strangely though.....you felt the need to comment.
Why to people have to get so petty and childish? I don't get it. Oh, Well. Trent was simply starting a conversation here. It's not like this very topic is discussed all racing season long. It's in the media, and it's on all of the racing forums. Nothing wrong with asking for other peoples views and opinions, or being truthful enough to post one's own.
Rashaun, one post after another....they just kept getting better and better. I couldn't agree with you more on all counts. You Rock !!
Posted by: Ann | Sep 22, 2005 9:27:37 AM
Ann,
I think Newman belongs in the non-producer catagory JMO. And I alway comment where I think things need addressing much like you do. So have a great day!
K
Posted by: Keith | Sep 22, 2005 9:40:29 AM
Keith,
Hey that's great. You're intitled to your opinions. I respect everyones opinions. Well...when it's conveyed like an adult that is. I guess I can't bring myself to take someone as serious when there opinion, view, or ideas are conveyed in the manner of a child. Retorts in that manner appear to be more for spite than anything else. JMO.
Besides, you still did not answer my question. Thanks anyway. Have yourself a great day too!
Posted by: Ann | Sep 22, 2005 10:31:32 AM
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