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The Greatest? Hardly...
During the taping of a racing-related TV show several days ago three expert panelists were asked to rank Tony Stewart's standing among NASCAR drivers in an alltime listing.
Two former star drivers from what I consider stock car racing's golden years--the two decades from 1965-1985--gushingly declared Stewart to be the best ever.
The show followed by only a couple nights Stewart's fine performance in winning the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, and perhaps this impressive victory influenced the duo's judgment.
And what did the third member think of his fellow panelists' assessment?
"I almost puked," said the man, a legend as both a driver and a team owner. "Stewart is good, but he ain't close to being the greatest, and he never will be."
The oldtimer shook his head.
"It was pretty stunning to me to sit there and listen to that," he continued.
"It was like Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough and Jeff Gordon had been forgotten. What they had accomplished meant nothing.
"And that's just among the drivers from the past 30 or 40 years. There were some mighty good ones going further back.
"Stewart has won just barely one-tenth the races that Richard did and not one-third the championships that Richard and Dale Earnhardt did.
"He has been in senseless incidents more times, it seems to me, than he has been in victory lane. This ain't no mark of greatness. Just the opposite.
"There's no denying that Stewart has some talent. In fact, he's very good.
"But they rated Stewart ahead of Dale Earnhardt?!
"Hell, Tony Stewart couldn't carry Dale Earnhardt's helmet to his car.
"They say, 'Oh, Tony, he's tough.' He's a rough driver, not a tough driver. There's a helluva difference.
"Tough is what you call drivers like Cale and Bobby Allison. Like Buck Baker, Tim Flock, Fireball Roberts, Herb Thomas and Curtis Turner. Like Dale Earnhardt and his daddy, Ralph."
And Junior Johnson, who epitomized the role that Stewart seemingly aspires to, the hardest charger of 'em all.
Sorry, Tony, that part has been taken and permanently retired.
Stewart is at the epicenter of controversy once again--conflict seems a constant with him--for his bonehead move that wrecked Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards in the 500-miler last Sunday at Pocono.
This follows by six months a reckless maneuver by Stewart, "Mr. Safety," at the season-opening Daytona 500 that only through the intervention of the benevolent Racing Gods spared Matt Kenseth from serious injury or worse.
Tony Stewart, the greatest NASCAR driver ever?
That's laughable.
Tony Stewart, the biggest NASCAR hypocrite and jerk ever?
That's probable.
July 25, 2006 in Racing | Permalink
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Comments
I coulnd't agree more! Yes, Tony is an incredibly talented driver, but his attitude towards his fellow drivers, the media, NASCAR and, at times, even the fans, shows him to be an immature, self-centered boy in a man-suit. As a "Carolina Boy" growing up in the 60s and 70s, I listened to every radio broadcast, watched every rare moment of TV coverage and read every print article I could (Mr. Higgins included). to get my NASCAR "fix". I remember a great number of drivers who, while aggressive on the track, recognized that they were members of the human race also, and acted like it! Tony's diving skills are great, but his people skills leave me wanting.
Posted by: Randy Long | Jul 26, 2006 7:51:05 AM
BRAVO! Someone finally has the GUTS to say it like it is! Tony Stewart is going to kill someone on the racetrack with his recklessness. With his out of control, vicious temper he should not be behind the wheel of a race car.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jul 26, 2006 9:23:38 AM
Mr Higgins
As always you say it best.
Thank you
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Jul 26, 2006 12:32:38 PM
Mr. Higgins, I respect you tremendously, and I am hoping the point you are trying to make is that Tony is NOT "the best ever," and I would agree with that.
But I don't think he'll "kill someone on the racetrack with his recklessness." And I don't think he's a hypocrite and/or a jerk.
I know the media will print and air whatever they deem appropriate. But the criticism and "bashing" that Tony is receiving this week is amazing. However, if anyone should know "behind the scenes" information, it would be someone like you.
I will take your information and thoughts into consideration, but for now I will continue to wear my Tony Stewart apparel with pride. The best ever – no. The best currently – probable (IMO).
Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of the season!
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 26, 2006 1:06:50 PM
30 years ago Tony's behavior and "justice" may have been ok when they were running 85mph average laps 90% of the time. Nowadays they're running 170-190mph average laps 90% of the time. If you don't think hitting a wall(soft or not) at that speed can cause injuries or worse you are very naive. Intentional wrecking needs to stop. Tony never makes mistakes right? We all know better.
Posted by: Scott | Jul 26, 2006 1:38:22 PM
Vanessa, It's NASCAR, by their allowing it, that will kill someone. Tonys just doing his part. A one lap penalty for an intentional violent act? Be real...5 minimum, or park it let him walk to the trailer and back to the car to re-enter. Racing and rubbing go hand in hand, and penalties can be tough to call, but be real, this showed intent (finger out the window...BAM), and in any courtroom intent gets you the bigger penalty.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 26, 2006 1:58:12 PM
I have seen Tony race in USAC sprint's,his agressive style was what made him noteable to me.I also respect what he accomplished in the IRL,and have watched,with more than interest his climb in Nascar.
But as being the best ever,nope.He is one of the best, maybe in the top 10.
I,like Shirley,will keep my #20 hat and shirt.
Posted by: trucker | Jul 26, 2006 2:00:30 PM
I find it ironic that Junior Johnson refers to Stewart's past when evaluating his place in the sport. If Junior Johnson had a squeeky clean past it would be different. However, Junior Johnson was convicted of a felony and did serve 11 months in federal prison.
Junior Johnson may frown on Stewart's agression. However, to my knowledge Stewart has never assuted an ATF agent. Johnson; however, did strike ATF agent John West with a shovel when West caught him stoking the fire of a moonshine still.
I guess b/c Regan pardoned Johnson, he forgets that he was a convicted felon. Convicted felons are not known to be persons of high moral character and therefore are not in the best postion to pass jusgment on the character and/or actions of others.
Junior Johnson can say whatever he want to about Stewart's character. However, he can never call him a convicted felon.
Posted by: AlabamaGang | Jul 26, 2006 3:49:21 PM
The comments from that third driver/owner sound like sour grapes to me. He had better look at his own past before judging others. Almost everyone I've heard or read about this subject has said Stewart is the best of this era, and most of them say he's the best of all time.
Posted by: Diane Mc | Jul 26, 2006 4:12:53 PM
I agree, Diane! And Keith, I also agree with you. If/when Tony Stewart kills someone on the track, NASCAR will have blood on their hands too.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jul 26, 2006 4:16:43 PM
That's just what I was thinking Junior Johnson must have been your 3rd person. It was quite obvious when he was INC, that he did not like Tony. And it's quite obvious you don't and that's OK, you have 42 other driver's to pick from and I too will be wearing my #20 shirt proudly.
Posted by: Jan M. | Jul 26, 2006 4:22:49 PM
Not only is Junior Johnson a convicted felon. He and his former drivers have admitted to driving cheater cars in some races that they won. Some may value Junior Johnson's opinion. However, IMO, the opinions of cheaters and con don't carry much weight.
Posted by: Cheaters Sometimes Win | Jul 26, 2006 4:27:47 PM
As far as Junior Johnson goes, his trouble with the law were outside of racing and don't think it bears on his contribution or knowledge of the sport. As far as his cars being "cheater cars", everyone was cheating back in those days. Cars would fail inspections numerous times, including Richard and Cale and all the rest of them.
As far as Tony Stewart goes, I equate him to being the Terrell Owens of Nascar. A great talent, but his head will always keep him from being a legend.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 26, 2006 5:06:39 PM
Stewart the best ever?!?! HA! I haven't had that good a laugh in a long time. History has always shown that the best are judged by wins & championships. If you go by that then he still isnt even the best in the sport right now.
Championships Active Drivers
Gordon - 4
Stewart - 2
Wins Active Drivers
Gordon - 75
Mark Martin - 35
Stewart - 26
Johnson - 21
Top 5's Active Drivers
Martin - 230
Gordon - 206
Stewart - 101
Martin is supossedly retiring after this year so Stewart will probably match all of Mark Martin's records. Stewart is 35?. If Gordon retires when he is 40 like he says then Gordon has 5 years left. Lets give him a minimum of 2 wins per season until then. That would add 10 to his 75 giving him 85 wins. To get to 85 wins Averaging 5 wins per season Stewart would catch Gordonen he turns 46, twelve years from now. Now 5 wins a year is tough now days and banking on Gordon to only win 2 a year anytime is a gamble so I just don't see how Stewart will catch him in wins, he might catch him in championships though.
I believe Tony to be one of the best right now, but not the best nor will he be the best ever when he is done I just dont see how the stats could ever add up.
Obviously this is just NASCAR Winston/Nextel stats and not overall racing. If your talking about best overall racer then it opens up a whole new can of worms.
Posted by: tarheel24 | Jul 26, 2006 5:14:59 PM
Michael, that might be the most fitting appraisal of Stewart I've seen. TO/TS? Neither seems to think the rules apply to them. Well done.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 26, 2006 5:23:21 PM
TO/TS? Neither seems to think the rules apply to them.
~~~
Well, felons, cheaters and cons don't think rules apply to them either.
IMO: Once a cheater always a cheater. Once a crook always a crook. Once a felon alway a felon. What do cheaters, crooks and felons have in common? Lack of moral character. It is bad ebough to be one of the three. However, it is a disgrace to be all three.
Posted by: georgia | Jul 26, 2006 5:51:01 PM
"Tony Stewart, the biggest NASCAR hypocrite and jerk ever?" YOU BETCHA! He's a legend in his own insane mind.
Great article! Thank you!
Posted by: Melissa | Jul 26, 2006 6:24:24 PM
Everybody is entitled to their opinion regarding who they think is the best race car driver. Opinions will vary b/c people will use different criteria to evaluate the drivers. Some people will give more weight on a driver's NASCAR career. Others may consider a driver's entire racing career. Some people may factor in the level of competition at the time the driver competed. Some people will give more weight to a driver's adaptability to various driving disciplines.
Since different people will use different criteria to evaluate a driver, it is not surprising that people will have various opinions as to which driver is the best ever. Just because Junior Johnson disagreed with the opinion expressed by the other panelist(Allison & Pearson), he had no right to disrespect their opinion by saying "he almost puked" when he hear their opinions.
I happened to have watched the episode of INC that the author of this article referenced. It was the episode of INC that followed the Pepsi 400. However, what the author failed mention, is that Stewart had also won the IROC race on the Daytona road course that weekend. Before the race, it was speculated that the road course veterans would have an advantage over all of the NASCAR drivers. However, that was not the case. Stewart started the race in 11th place, raced into the lead on lap 3, and went on the score a dominating victory.
Thus, some of the discussion on that episode of INC between the panelist was regarding Stewart's versatility and success in many different types of race cars and in different racing series. After discussing Stewart's versatility, Despain asked the panelist the question of whether Stewart was among the best all-time race car drivers (not just NASAR drivers). Each of the panelist stated their opinion based upon their own criteria for evaluating drivers. The panelists gave differing opinions; however, no one opinion was more correct that another opinion.
IMO, only time will tell if Stewart is one of the all-time greatest NASCAR drivers. He has not been competing in NASCAR long enough to make a meaningful comparison between Stewart's NASCAR statistics and the NASCAR legends. However, the fact that Stewart is one of the few NASCAR drivers that has won more than one NASCAR championship, means that he will be considered among the best (but not necessarily the all-time best).
Given the fact that Stewart won the USAC Triple Crown and an IRL Championship, in addition to his Two NASCAR championships, it is a fair statement to say that Stewart will go down in history as one of the most versatile drivers. Few drivers in history have shown the ability to adapt to various driving disciplines that Stewart has shown.
Posted by: MKC | Jul 26, 2006 6:52:15 PM
I'll bet the mental case can't drive my '88 buick.
Great article.
Hope he doesn't make the chase.
Posted by: Woody | Jul 26, 2006 7:08:53 PM
Woody, LOL you own an 88 Buick? I think you qualify for Antique plates.
Georgia, I see what you wrote, but have no idea wtf you're saying.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 26, 2006 10:12:24 PM
Thank you, Mr. Higgins.
Once again you have proven that with age and experience come wisdom and insight.
The only bad thing about reading your thoughts is that, much like Randy noted, it reminds me of when I was a young man, back in the 60's and 70's, when racing was really racing. In fact, I'd trade today's racing(?) for the old days when all we had was radio and a few race segments televised on Wide World of Sports.
As for myself, all I can say is "Adios, NASCAR," it was fun while it lasted.
Thank goodness for local tracks.
Posted by: saltTdawg | Jul 26, 2006 11:54:56 PM
BTW: Had to note that you've quoted one of the greatest lines EVER:
"Hell, Tony Stewart couldn't carry Dale Earnhardt's helmet to his car."
That says it all.
Posted by: saltTdawg | Jul 26, 2006 11:57:20 PM
What did Neal Bonnet say about DW's car after the first all star race? "He clutched it, he clutched it...." who was the car owner? What size was the motor?
Posted by: Stidog | Jul 27, 2006 12:14:54 AM
There are two problems in judging if modern drivers can be considered the best ever.
One, the physical demands of racing are much different from the sport's first 35-40 years - simply put, the cars are much easier to drive, so much so that for some 13 years the sport has seen the explosion of rookies coming in with comparatively little training and winning 500-mile races almost right away. I am doubtful that Denny Hamlin could succeed in a NASCAR environment like that of 1976 with racecars that required far more physicality to drive.
The second problem is that the style of competition has changed, and not necessarily for the better. There are more competitive racecars than 30 years ago, but on almost all the tracks the racing itself is nowhere close to as ferociously contested.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Jul 27, 2006 12:16:44 AM
I hate to say this but Mike Daly has some good points.
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Jul 27, 2006 2:16:37 AM
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