Ah, the superstitious day of Friday the 13th conjures up images of bad luck, movie horror, and countless potential for mayhem. As of this date, June 13, 2008, which happens to be a Friday, this blog (as well as its counterpart blogs) have moved from the former home of my website (ClubhouseConnection.net, which is now inactive) to Blogspot, which was where they were generated anyway. Hopefully, no bad luck will follow this move, but I hope any former readers are fortunate enough to find their way here. I figure some new content will at least get Google to redirect the old links to these new locations.
There isn't a whole lot new I want to say immediately, especially since I have written anything in eons. When over a year passes (give or take) between posts, you are doing a poor job as a blogger. Given that some bloggers write many times daily, that fact would make me a big slacker.
Since blogging doesn't pay the bills (yet ... or probably ever), look for something slightly more frequent (hopefully) in the future.
Later all...
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
NASCAR's Greatest Driver? Gordon Among Greats...
Determining NASCAR's Greatest Driver is not an easy task. As is true in other major sports as well, comparing the greats of any particular era is difficult when they are measured against the greats in other, different eras. The list of career NASCAR victories is an interesting one, considering how different the race schedule looked before and after the Winston Cup “modern” era began.
In all-time victories (1949-present (4/29/2007 race at Talladega)), the list looks like this:
1. Richard Petty – 200
2. David Pearson – 105
3. (tie) Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip – 84
5. Cale Yarborough – 83
6. Jeff Gordon – 77
7. Dale Earnhardt – 76 … and so on
When the list is *trimmed* to the modern era (1972 to present), the result is this:
1. Darrell Waltrip - 84
2. Jeff Gordon – 77
3. Dale Earnhardt – 76
4. Cale Yarborough – 69
5. Richard Petty – 60
The names stay generally the same, but the order looks very different.
Richard Petty’s career victories overlapped the Pre-Modern era (Grand National Series) and the Modern era (Cup series). However, 60 wins is not representative of the wins at “modern” tracks (such as Daytona, Charlotte, Richmond, Martinsville, et.al.) that Petty should be fairly credited with having. Petty began racing in 1959, and a number of tracks where he won between 1960 and 1971 remained on the reduced Cup schedule in 1972. Petty did collect seven total championships, but only four of those came in the modern era.
Equally overlooked, in my opinion, is David Pearson (second-most in all-time wins), who drops out of the top five on the modern era list only because most of his career was in the pre-modern era. Pearson did collect an impressive 45 wins from 1972 to 1980 and won at least one race each of these seasons. Another consideration for Pearson on the career championship list is that he ran a full schedule only four times in his career and won three titles (all pre-modern titles in the late 1960's).
In the case of both Petty and Pearson, I want to dig a level deeper and further analyze the wins of their pre-1972 career to determine which rightfully should count as “modern” wins and better compare both to the likes of Waltrip, Gordon, and Earnhardt.
Richard Petty (1960-1971):
1960 – 2 (Charlotte, Martinsville)
1961 – 2 (Richmond, Charlotte)
1962 – 3 (North Wilkesboro - 2, Martinsville)
1963 – 2 (Martinsville, North Wilkesboro)
1964 – 2 (Daytona, Nashville)
1965 – 1 (Nashville)
1966 – 4 (Daytona, Darlington, Nashville, Atlanta)
1967 – 10 (Martinsville - 2, Richmond - 2, Darlington - 2, Rockingham, Bristol, Nashville, North Wilkesboro)
1968 – 4 (Richmond, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham)
1969 – 5 (Riverside, Martinsville - 2, Dover, Nashville)
1970 – 7 (Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Riverside, Atlanta, Richmond, Dover, Martinsville)
1971 – 10 (Daytona, Richmond - 2, Rockingham - 2, North Wilkesboro, Martinsville, Nashville, Atlanta, Dover)
Cumulative Total Wins: 52
Revised “Modern” Total: 60 + 52 = 112
Arguably, other tracks where Petty had wins were of substantial length (greater than 1/2 mile) but didn’t survive the Cup cut. Texas World Speedway should probably count for at least one more win in 1971, but I did not count it. Non-paved races were also on the schedule until 1970 (Richmond was not paved until 1968 ), but I did not exclude wins at such tracks.
David Pearson (1961-1971):
1961 – 3 (Charlotte, Daytona, Atlanta)
1962 – 0
1963 – 0
1964 – 1 (Richmond)
1965 – 1 (Richmond)
1966 – 2 (Richmond - 2)
1967 – 1 (Bristol)
1968 – 6 (Bristol - 2, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, Darlington, Nashville)
1969 – 6 (Daytona, Rockingham, Richmond, Bristol, Michigan, North Wilkesboro)
1970 – 1 (Darlington)
1971 – 2 (Daytona, Bristol)
Cumulative Total Wins: 23
Revised “Modern” Total: 45 + 23 = 68
Any of the notes applied to Petty also apply to Pearson.
Now realizing that I should also be fair to Cale Yarborough on the modern wins list, I need to add wins at Atlanta (3 - 1967, 68, 69), Daytona (4 – 1967, 68 – 2, 70), Martinsville (1968 ), Darlington (1968 ), Michigan (2 – 1969 & 70), and Rockingham (1970). That would add 12 wins to the 69 total above for 81 wins (nearly his actual career total). In the same vein, Bobby Allison needs wins added for Rockingham (1967), Bristol (2 – 1969, 70), North Wilkesboro (1969), Richmond (1969), Atlanta (1970), Charlotte (2 – 1970, 71), Dover (1971), Michigan (2 – 1971 x 2), Riverside (1971), Talladega (1971), and Darlington (1971). Allison’s modern wins total (1972 and after) was 55, so 55 + 14 = 69.
Modern wins list (revised):
1. Richard Petty – 112*
2. Darrell Waltrip – 84
3. Cale Yarborough – 81*
4. Jeff Gordon – 77
5. Dale Earnhardt – 76
6. Bobby Allison – 69*
7. David Pearson – 68*
I’m not a big fan of “revisionist” history, but at least this revision helps to put the careers in better perspective for making comparisons.
So, can Jeff Gordon be considered the greatest driver in NASCAR history? I guess it depends on what makes a driver great. His wins total seems almost assuredly headed towards passing Darrell Waltrip over the next couple of seasons, but he doesn’t seem likely to ever pass Petty’s mark (definitely not the real number or the revised one).
If championships make the driver, then Petty or Earnhardt are in a virtual tie, but Petty wins a tiebreaker on wins (and winning frequency). Pearson wins hands-down on winning percentage (18.2%) while being so successful in multiple seasons of limited schedules. Waltrip is probably the modern-day best driver until Gordon surpasses his win total … then I think Gordon could rightfully inherit the crown.
There is no right or wrong answer in this one. I’m interested in what you all have to think on the subject. Feel free to chime in.
In all-time victories (1949-present (4/29/2007 race at Talladega)), the list looks like this:
1. Richard Petty – 200
2. David Pearson – 105
3. (tie) Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip – 84
5. Cale Yarborough – 83
6. Jeff Gordon – 77
7. Dale Earnhardt – 76 … and so on
When the list is *trimmed* to the modern era (1972 to present), the result is this:
1. Darrell Waltrip - 84
2. Jeff Gordon – 77
3. Dale Earnhardt – 76
4. Cale Yarborough – 69
5. Richard Petty – 60
The names stay generally the same, but the order looks very different.
Richard Petty’s career victories overlapped the Pre-Modern era (Grand National Series) and the Modern era (Cup series). However, 60 wins is not representative of the wins at “modern” tracks (such as Daytona, Charlotte, Richmond, Martinsville, et.al.) that Petty should be fairly credited with having. Petty began racing in 1959, and a number of tracks where he won between 1960 and 1971 remained on the reduced Cup schedule in 1972. Petty did collect seven total championships, but only four of those came in the modern era.
Equally overlooked, in my opinion, is David Pearson (second-most in all-time wins), who drops out of the top five on the modern era list only because most of his career was in the pre-modern era. Pearson did collect an impressive 45 wins from 1972 to 1980 and won at least one race each of these seasons. Another consideration for Pearson on the career championship list is that he ran a full schedule only four times in his career and won three titles (all pre-modern titles in the late 1960's).
In the case of both Petty and Pearson, I want to dig a level deeper and further analyze the wins of their pre-1972 career to determine which rightfully should count as “modern” wins and better compare both to the likes of Waltrip, Gordon, and Earnhardt.
Richard Petty (1960-1971):
1960 – 2 (Charlotte, Martinsville)
1961 – 2 (Richmond, Charlotte)
1962 – 3 (North Wilkesboro - 2, Martinsville)
1963 – 2 (Martinsville, North Wilkesboro)
1964 – 2 (Daytona, Nashville)
1965 – 1 (Nashville)
1966 – 4 (Daytona, Darlington, Nashville, Atlanta)
1967 – 10 (Martinsville - 2, Richmond - 2, Darlington - 2, Rockingham, Bristol, Nashville, North Wilkesboro)
1968 – 4 (Richmond, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham)
1969 – 5 (Riverside, Martinsville - 2, Dover, Nashville)
1970 – 7 (Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Riverside, Atlanta, Richmond, Dover, Martinsville)
1971 – 10 (Daytona, Richmond - 2, Rockingham - 2, North Wilkesboro, Martinsville, Nashville, Atlanta, Dover)
Cumulative Total Wins: 52
Revised “Modern” Total: 60 + 52 = 112
Arguably, other tracks where Petty had wins were of substantial length (greater than 1/2 mile) but didn’t survive the Cup cut. Texas World Speedway should probably count for at least one more win in 1971, but I did not count it. Non-paved races were also on the schedule until 1970 (Richmond was not paved until 1968 ), but I did not exclude wins at such tracks.
David Pearson (1961-1971):
1961 – 3 (Charlotte, Daytona, Atlanta)
1962 – 0
1963 – 0
1964 – 1 (Richmond)
1965 – 1 (Richmond)
1966 – 2 (Richmond - 2)
1967 – 1 (Bristol)
1968 – 6 (Bristol - 2, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, Darlington, Nashville)
1969 – 6 (Daytona, Rockingham, Richmond, Bristol, Michigan, North Wilkesboro)
1970 – 1 (Darlington)
1971 – 2 (Daytona, Bristol)
Cumulative Total Wins: 23
Revised “Modern” Total: 45 + 23 = 68
Any of the notes applied to Petty also apply to Pearson.
Now realizing that I should also be fair to Cale Yarborough on the modern wins list, I need to add wins at Atlanta (3 - 1967, 68, 69), Daytona (4 – 1967, 68 – 2, 70), Martinsville (1968 ), Darlington (1968 ), Michigan (2 – 1969 & 70), and Rockingham (1970). That would add 12 wins to the 69 total above for 81 wins (nearly his actual career total). In the same vein, Bobby Allison needs wins added for Rockingham (1967), Bristol (2 – 1969, 70), North Wilkesboro (1969), Richmond (1969), Atlanta (1970), Charlotte (2 – 1970, 71), Dover (1971), Michigan (2 – 1971 x 2), Riverside (1971), Talladega (1971), and Darlington (1971). Allison’s modern wins total (1972 and after) was 55, so 55 + 14 = 69.
Modern wins list (revised):
1. Richard Petty – 112*
2. Darrell Waltrip – 84
3. Cale Yarborough – 81*
4. Jeff Gordon – 77
5. Dale Earnhardt – 76
6. Bobby Allison – 69*
7. David Pearson – 68*
I’m not a big fan of “revisionist” history, but at least this revision helps to put the careers in better perspective for making comparisons.
So, can Jeff Gordon be considered the greatest driver in NASCAR history? I guess it depends on what makes a driver great. His wins total seems almost assuredly headed towards passing Darrell Waltrip over the next couple of seasons, but he doesn’t seem likely to ever pass Petty’s mark (definitely not the real number or the revised one).
If championships make the driver, then Petty or Earnhardt are in a virtual tie, but Petty wins a tiebreaker on wins (and winning frequency). Pearson wins hands-down on winning percentage (18.2%) while being so successful in multiple seasons of limited schedules. Waltrip is probably the modern-day best driver until Gordon surpasses his win total … then I think Gordon could rightfully inherit the crown.
There is no right or wrong answer in this one. I’m interested in what you all have to think on the subject. Feel free to chime in.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
The Report Returns? Where We Are Going From Here ...
More than a month has passed since I last wrote to the Rentz Racing Report, and, admittedly, life has been happening while I have been making other plans. Marriage is first and foremost my concern, considering I wasn't married when the R-cubed began, but now I am a married man with a wife at home and a full-time job requiring greater responsibilities of me now than two months ago.
I could continue giving reasons (or excuses) why the Report isn't current or updated; however, I really don't see the point in giving the multitude of explanations. Plain and simple, weekly updates of this journal are not unrealistic, and I have been lax about keeping my information current. With additional summer "vacations" planned over the upcoming weeks, I owe my readers some firsthand information I can provide from my race track trips.
Some "past" and "upcoming" information that could have been posted already includes:
- Kasey Kahne's rise to the top of the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit
- Tony Stewart's injury(ies) sustained at Charlotte during the Busch and Cup races on Memorial Day Weekend
- The fall of Jeff Gordon as a dominant NASCAR Cup driver
- The reemergence of Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a Chase-contending driver
- Matt Kenseth / Roush Racing consistency
- Jimmie Johnson - King of NASCAR?!?
- The Coca-Cola 600 race (at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, which I attended with my wife and my parents)
- The upcoming Daytona race (Pepsi 400, fka the Firecracker 400) over Independence Day weekend (July 2nd)
- The Race to the Chase: Contenders and Pretenders
- And much, much more ...
I am also proud to (re-)announce that I am the Cincinnati, OH, Local Chapter President for the Official NASCAR Members Club (LC 452381), which began in mid-to-late April. The chapter website is located at:
http://onmcchapter.com/index.php?uname=452381&select_state=OH
Separately, I run my general sports website at:
http://clubhouseconnection.net
This site houses a variety of content, most exclusively the sole provider for the "Soul Patrol" CD (downloadable mp3 files by purchase) published by baseball rock artists Clubhouse for our website of Clubhouse Connection. The NASCAR special section co-links the ONMC Chapter site noted above with the NASCAR.com sign-up page that includes my special ID # for referral purposes and to be included as a potential member of my chapter (regardless if you live near Cincinnati, OH, or not).
http://clubhouseconnection.net/nascar/
This is a quick "hello again" and an equally quick "I must be off / goodbye" since time is of the essence. Please know that I haven't forgotten about my writing journals, and I hope to be back to twice-weekly publishing again very soon.
I could continue giving reasons (or excuses) why the Report isn't current or updated; however, I really don't see the point in giving the multitude of explanations. Plain and simple, weekly updates of this journal are not unrealistic, and I have been lax about keeping my information current. With additional summer "vacations" planned over the upcoming weeks, I owe my readers some firsthand information I can provide from my race track trips.
Some "past" and "upcoming" information that could have been posted already includes:
- Kasey Kahne's rise to the top of the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit
- Tony Stewart's injury(ies) sustained at Charlotte during the Busch and Cup races on Memorial Day Weekend
- The fall of Jeff Gordon as a dominant NASCAR Cup driver
- The reemergence of Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a Chase-contending driver
- Matt Kenseth / Roush Racing consistency
- Jimmie Johnson - King of NASCAR?!?
- The Coca-Cola 600 race (at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, which I attended with my wife and my parents)
- The upcoming Daytona race (Pepsi 400, fka the Firecracker 400) over Independence Day weekend (July 2nd)
- The Race to the Chase: Contenders and Pretenders
- And much, much more ...
I am also proud to (re-)announce that I am the Cincinnati, OH, Local Chapter President for the Official NASCAR Members Club (LC 452381), which began in mid-to-late April. The chapter website is located at:
http://onmcchapter.com/index.php?uname=452381&select_state=OH
Separately, I run my general sports website at:
http://clubhouseconnection.net
This site houses a variety of content, most exclusively the sole provider for the "Soul Patrol" CD (downloadable mp3 files by purchase) published by baseball rock artists Clubhouse for our website of Clubhouse Connection. The NASCAR special section co-links the ONMC Chapter site noted above with the NASCAR.com sign-up page that includes my special ID # for referral purposes and to be included as a potential member of my chapter (regardless if you live near Cincinnati, OH, or not).
http://clubhouseconnection.net/nascar/
This is a quick "hello again" and an equally quick "I must be off / goodbye" since time is of the essence. Please know that I haven't forgotten about my writing journals, and I hope to be back to twice-weekly publishing again very soon.
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