The Greatest Sprint Cup Driver ever semi finals: Richard Petty verses Dale Earnhardt

[Greg]

Pick one, this poll has a 5 day time limit

Petty, Richard, 200 wins, 7 titles, 16.89 winning %

Or

Earnhardt, Dale Sr. 76 wins, 7 titles, 11.24 winning %

 

[SpeedPagan]

Voting Richard Petty because I just never was an Earnhardt fan.

 

[racer8]

Earnhardt because I was always a fan of his.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Richard Petty.

 

[Greg]

Richard Petty NASCAR Track Type Statistics

NASCAR Career Statistics
Track Type Sts Win
Intermediate 248 Sts- 25 wins-
Road Course 61 Sts- 6 wins-
Superspeedway 214 Sts- 21 wins-
Short Track 662 Sts- 148 wins-
TOTALS 1185 Sts- 200 wins-

Richard Petty Win Breakdown by Track Type

Intermediate: 13%
Road Course: 3%
Superspeedway: 11%
Short Track: 74%

Short tracks: 1-mile and less

Intermediate tracks: 1.01-mile to 1.99-miles

Superspeedway tracks: 2-miles+



Richard Petty NASCAR Career Statistics

Total Cup Series Seasons: 35
Total Cup Series Starts: 1185
Total Cup Series Wins: 200
Cup Races Since Win (or first start): 241
First Cup Race: 1958-31 at Canadian National Exposition Speedway on 07-18-1958
First Cup Win: 1960-06 at Southern States Fairgrounds on 02-28-1960
Last Cup Win: Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway on 07-04-1984
Last Cup Race: Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on 11-15-1992

 

[Greg]

Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Track Type Statistics

NASCAR Career Statistics
Track Type Sts Win
Intermediate 203 Sts- 26 wins-
Road Course 47 Sts- 1 wins-
Superspeedway 190 Sts- 18 wins-
Short Track 236 Sts- 31 wins-
TOTALS 676 Sts- 76 wins-

Dale Earnhardt Win Breakdown by Track Type

Intermediate: 34%
Road Course: 1%
Superspeedway: 24%
Short Track: 41%

Short tracks: 1-mile and less

Intermediate tracks: 1.01-mile to 1.99-miles

Superspeedway tracks: 2-miles+

 

[Greg]

R.Petty TOTALS 1185 Sts 200 wins. 11.27 Avg Fn
R.Petty 55 y/o. 1992 26 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 23 Avg Fn
R.Petty 54 y/o. 1991 24 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 22 Avg Fn
R.Petty 53 y/o. 1990 26 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 25 Avg Fn
R.Petty 52 y/o. 1989 29 points. 25 Sts 0 wins. 25.8 Avg Fn
R.Petty 51 y/o. 1988 22 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 24.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 50 y/o. 1987 8 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 13.3 Avg Fn
R.Petty 49 y/o. 1986 14 points. 29 Sts 0 wins. 17.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 48 y/o. 1985 14 points. 28 Sts 0 wins. 17.9 Avg Fn
R.Petty 47 y/o. 1984 10 points. 30 Sts 2 wins. 15.2 Avg Fn
R.Petty 46 y/o. 1983 4 points. 30 Sts 3 wins. 10.7 Avg Fn
R.Petty 45 y/o. 1982 5 points. 30 Sts 0 wins. 14.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 44 y/o. 1981 8 points. 31 Sts 3 wins. 15.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 43 y/o. 1980 4 points. 31 Sts 2 wins. 11.7 Avg Fn
R.Petty 42 y/o. 1979 1 points. 31 Sts 5 wins. 6.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 41 y/o. 1978 6 points. 30 Sts 0 wins. 12.8 Avg Fn
R.Petty 40 y/o. 1977 2 points. 30 Sts 5 wins. 7.5 Avg Fn
R.Petty 39 y/o. 1976 2 points. 30 Sts 3 wins. 9 Avg Fn
R.Petty 38 y/o. 1975 1 points. 30 Sts 13 wins. 6.6 Avg Fn
R.Petty 37 y/o. 1974 1 points. 30 Sts 10 wins. 6.8 Avg Fn
R.Petty 36 y/o. 1973 -- points. 28 Sts 6 wins. 10.9 Avg Fn
R.Petty 35 y/o. 1972 -- points. 31 Sts 8 wins. 4.7 Avg Fn
R.Petty 34 y/o. 1971 1 points. 46 Sts 21 wins. 4.2 Avg Fn
R.Petty 33 y/o. 1970 -- points. 40 Sts 18 wins. 6.8 Avg Fn
R.Petty 32 y/o. 1969 -- points. 50 Sts 10 wins. 7.9 Avg Fn
R.Petty 31 y/o. 1968 -- points. 49 Sts 16 wins. 8.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 30 y/o. 1967 1 points. 48 Sts 27 wins. 5 Avg Fn
R.Petty 29 y/o. 1966 -- points. 39 Sts 8 wins. 11 Avg Fn
R.Petty 28 y/o. 1965 -- points. 15 Sts 4 wins. 9.5 Avg Fn
R.Petty 27 y/o. 1964 1 points. 61 Sts 9 wins. 7.3 Avg Fn
R.Petty 26 y/o. 1963 -- points. 54 Sts 14 wins. 7.5 Avg Fn
R.Petty 25 y/o. 1962 -- points. 52 Sts 8 wins. 6.9 Avg Fn
R.Petty 24 y/o. 1961 -- points. 42 Sts 2 wins. 11 Avg Fn
R.Petty 23 y/o. 1960 -- points. 40 Sts 3 wins. 8.2 Avg Fn
R.Petty 22 y/o. 1959 -- points. 21 Sts 0 wins. 15.4 Avg Fn
R.Petty 21 y/o. 1958 -- points. 9 Sts 0 wins. 20.4 Avg Fn

 

[Greg]

Year Rnk Sts W Avg Fn
Dale Sr. TOTALS 676 Sts 76 wins. 11.06 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 50 y/o. 2001 57 points. 1 Sts 0 wins. 12 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 49 y/o. 2000 2 points. 34 Sts 2 wins. 9.4 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 48 y/o. 1999 7 points. 34 Sts 3 wins. 12 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 47 y/o. 1998 8 points. 33 Sts 1 wins. 16.2 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 46 y/o. 1997 5 points. 32 Sts 0 wins. 12.1 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 45 y/o. 1996 4 points. 31 Sts 2 wins. 10.6 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 44 y/o. 1995 2 points. 31 Sts 5 wins. 9.2 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 43 y/o. 1994 1 points. 31 Sts 4 wins. 8 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 42 y/o. 1993 1 points. 30 Sts 6 wins. 8.2 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 41 y/o. 1992 12 points. 29 Sts 1 wins. 14.9 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 40 y/o. 1991 1 points. 29 Sts 4 wins. 8.6 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 39 y/o. 1990 1 points. 29 Sts 9 wins. 8 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 38 y/o. 1989 2 points. 29 Sts 5 wins. 10.3 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 37 y/o. 1988 3 points. 29 Sts 3 wins. 8.8 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 36 y/o. 1987 1 points. 29 Sts 11 wins. 5.9 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 35 y/o. 1986 1 points. 29 Sts 5 wins. 7.4 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 34 y/o. 1985 8 points. 28 Sts 4 wins. 14.7 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 33 y/o. 1984 4 points. 30 Sts 2 wins. 9.6 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 32 y/o. 1983 8 points. 30 Sts 2 wins. 15.3 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 31 y/o. 1982 12 points. 30 Sts 1 wins. 18.8 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 30 y/o. 1981 7 points. 31 Sts 0 wins. 13.5 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 29 y/o. 1980 1 points. 31 Sts 5 wins. 8.2 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 28 y/o. 1979 7 points. 27 Sts 1 wins. 10.7 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 27 y/o. 1978 44 points. 5 Sts 0 wins. 11.2 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 26 y/o. 1977 118 points. 1 Sts 0 wins. 38 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 25 y/o. 1976 104 points. 2 Sts 0 wins. 25 Avg Fn
Dale Sr. 24 y/o. 1975 130 points. 1 Sts 0 wins. 22 Avg Fn

 

[klemmabyna]

consider this:

number of full time race teams during the 7 championship seasons:
earnhardt: 1980-14, 1986-15, 1987-20, 1990-22, 1991-24, 1993-25, 1994-20
petty: 1964-1, 1967-0, 1971-5, 1972-6, 1974-6, 1975-7, 1979-12

dale earnhardt: 140
avg teams to beat for the title: 20.0
richard petty: 37
avg teams to beat for the title: 5.3

 

[FlFlash]

Dale Earnhardt because he was the Better Driver wether you like the way he drove it or not he sure as Hell Could DRIVE and we are voting for The Greatest Sprint Cup DRIVER

 

[muggle not]

Dale Earnhardt because he was the Better Driver wether you like the way he drove it or not he sure as Hell Could DRIVE and we are voting for The Greatest Sprint Cup DRIVER

Better driver is an opinion....my opinion is Petty.

 

[robbybee]

Better driver is an opinion....my opinion is Petty.

AGREED!!! Petty, hands down!!!

 

[buckaroo]

Having been a fan of Petty and an ABE fan, I still wonder what the record is between the two when they were competing against each other.

 

[SpeedPagan]

Wow, I'm surprised Petty is winning in the polls. I'd figure Earnhardt Sr. would be winning by a landslide.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

Having been a fan of Petty and an ABE fan, I still wonder what the record is between the two when they were competing against each other.

Total races head to head: 415

First race: 1975 World 600 (1975-13)
Last race: 1992 Hooters 500 (1992-29)

Of the 415 races that they faced each other Earnhardt finished ahead of Petty 274 times and Petty in front of Earnhardt 141 times.

During the period of time that they raced head to head their stats were.....

Petty 15 wins, 90 top 5's, and 178 top 10's, avg finish 17.1
Earnhardt 52 wins, 178 top 5's, 266 top 10's, avg finish 11.3

 

[robbybee]

While those are some intersting stats - and quite informative as well - Petty was on the backside of his career and Dale was on the upside. It kinda skews the validity of the numbers.

Had they been the same age it very well might look quite different.

Thanks, DP!

Doesn't change my vote for Petty, however...

 

[buckaroo]

So, one can see that it really doesn't matter how two competitors did facing each other, there will still be a difference of opinion.

 

[robbybee]

So, one can see that it really doesn't matter how two competitors did facing each other, there will still be a difference of opinion.

The 2008 Lakers would kick ass if they were playing the 1959 Boston Celtics...

The rim is still 10 feet off the floor but the '59 Celtics are O-L-D...

 

[HoneyBadger]

While those are some intersting stats - and quite informative as well - Petty was on the backside of his career and Dale was on the upside. It kinda skews the validity of the numbers.

Had they been the same age it very well might look quite different.

Thanks, DP!

Doesn't change my vote for Petty, however...

Pearson gets my vote for best driver ever, hands down.

 

[Greg]

This one has me confused I just don’t know who to vote for, nor I am trying to make a case for either. But one thing about Petty’s accomplishments, they didn’t come easy.

He did work hard for his numbers. He was a nice guy, the best friend a NASCAR fan has ever had, but he was also very tough, physically and mentally. I know Dale was, but Petty was too, his friendly persona might lead some to think otherwise, his consistency should make the point obvious.

I have been thinking about the 1970 Darlington Crash in this clickable YouTube link. .

It almost happens to fast to see, but if you look at the driver’s door, the white uniform is easy to see. That’s Petty hanging out of the car and getting flung around during the wreck.

I don’t know if it is true, but I have read eyewitness accounts that stated the horrified spectators were also concerned about Petty’s well known “wet rag” that he kept in his mouth, to keep from getting to dry. Apparently during the first few moments some were fearful that the scattered rag remnants on the track was brain matter.

I am not trying to be silly or make it a joke, but this wreck just looks so unsurvive-able to me.

Petty came back strong and had a great year in 1971; aside from 1967 it may have been his best. In 1971 I was ten years old, and Petty was my hero. When he lost I took it worse than Kyle Busch does, I only could see him when he came and ran locally, but I followed them all on MRN, it was a lot of fun.

Dale was great too, so I am confused about who to vote for…..

 

[klemmabyna]

Greg: let me help. earnhardt was the best!

seriously though, credit must be given for what these two did for nascar. without them, and then gordon, nascar probably wouldn't be where it is today. each brought in a new generation of fans that grew the sport.

i went for earnhardt for one reason. i saw him do things in a car and get away with it that very few would even try. he was just incredible.

to those who seem to believe he crashed his way to all those wins and titles, i wonder if you ever really saw very many of his races.

last call: i would never attempt to take anything away from Richard Petty. after all, he is The King.

 

[Gordon_Fan24]

Greg: let me help. earnhardt was the best!

seriously though, credit must be given for what these two did for nascar. without them, and then gordon, nascar probably wouldn't be where it is today. each brought in a new generation of fans that grew the sport.

i went for earnhardt for one reason. i saw him do things in a car and get away with it that very few would even try. he was just incredible.

to those who seem to believe he crashed his way to all those wins and titles, i wonder if you ever really saw very many of his races.

last call: i would never attempt to take anything away from Richard Petty. after all, he is The King.

I went Earnhardt here too...I just wanted to clarify that in some other threads I have talked about Earnhardt crashing people, I know for me, personally, I don't mean that he crashed his way to all the wins or championships, he was an excellent driver. However, no one can deny that he wouldn't have many of those wins without crashing others. He tended to "rattle cages" a lot more than other drivers did or do now.

 

[robbybee]

I would have voted for Steven Wallace had he been matched up with Dale Sr...

 

[Greg]

I would have voted for Steven Wallace had he been matched up with Dale Sr...

I can only say wow!


Dale was a rough hard nosed driver, and I doubt many of his fans could deny the point.

I read an article that described as the dirtiest driver, I am not going to argue that point either.


But he wasn't some type of recreational wrecker like Wallace or the type to pull a Vickers Martinsville like insane race.



Had that been typical, guys like the Pettys, Allison, Cale, Waltrip etc would have made it a point to make him suffer, and there is always payback.


He knocked Waltrip out of the way at Richmond in 85 or 86, and DW knocked Dale out at Martinsville 1987 to get the win. You race within inches and paybacks do happen.


Contrary to the claims of some, you cant wreck your way to seven titles. You would have to believe that he ran against a bunch of passive patsies.


You can race to win, be aggressive, but if you keep up the feuds on a weekly basis you will not be a cup champion once, let alone 7 times.


Check out Harvick and the Busch wars, their not cup champions. Look at Brad K, and Edwards they avoided controversies this year and had their best point runs.


That is a standard now and then, Jimmie J boring ? But lots of titles.


Dale wasn't boring but he didn't drive demolition style as some have suggested here.

Most of Dales wins were just hard driving nothing else.

 

[ted@economy]

I can only say wow!

Most of Dales wins were just hard driving nothing else.

I agree , I never pulled for him when he was driving , but in retrospect , he was the greatest driver that I ever saw .Petty was still racing ,but not dominating . With Dale , it was his agressive (not wrecking) style ,his car control , and more than anything , his ability to communicate the changes that he needed to his crew . He was a driver that you never counted out until the checkered flag . He kept improving his car from lap one till the end. On the negative side , the champions pit stall was his savior in many races .He went through several crew chief changes and was able to win with all of them (I think) . His crew worshipped him and as far as I know , his fellow drivers respected him .

 

[buckaroo]

No doubt that both Petty and Earnhardt are among the best ever. Hard to say whether either of them were the best. One driver I just thought about that didn't make the poll was Tim Richmond. In my opinion, Tim was second to none at the time he drove and that included old Ironhead. Of note, Tim only raced on bias tires and there is a world of difference. It took Earnhardt a year or more to adjust to the difference and that he did. Tires as well as equipment also play a role into who was the best. BTW, another driver that wasn't included was Dick Trickle. Granted his numbers in the Cup series was negligent, but in the overall scheme of things, Dick was one of the best stock car drivers ever.

 

[FenderBumper]

I can only say wow!


Dale was a rough hard nosed driver, and I doubt many of his fans could deny the point.

I read an article that described as the dirtiest driver, I am not going to argue that point either.


But he wasn't some type of recreational wrecker like Wallace or the type to pull a Vickers Martinsville like insane race.



Had that been typical, guys like the Pettys, Allison, Cale, Waltrip etc would have made it a point to make him suffer, and there is always payback.


He knocked Waltrip out of the way at Richmond in 85 or 86, and DW knocked Dale out at Martinsville 1987 to get the win. You race within inches and paybacks do happen.


Contrary to the claims of some, you cant wreck your way to seven titles. You would have to believe that he ran against a bunch of passive patsies.


You can race to win, be aggressive, but if you keep up the feuds on a weekly basis you will not be a cup champion once, let alone 7 times.


Check out Harvick and the Busch wars, their not cup champions. Look at Brad K, and Edwards they avoided controversies this year and had their best point runs.


That is a standard now and then, Jimmie J boring ? But lots of titles.


Dale wasn't boring but he didn't drive demolition style as some have suggested here.

Most of Dales wins were just hard driving nothing else.

Well said. Sr was dirty at times, but his philosophy toward racing was that speed trumps position, which is what stock car racing is all about. If Sr was faster than you, he would move you right out of the preferred line. That's what the stock car fenders and bumpers are for.

Sr rairly drove defensively to keep someone behind him. One of the few times he did, it cost him his life.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

No doubt that both Petty and Earnhardt are among the best ever. Hard to say whether either of them were the best. One driver I just thought about that didn't make the poll was Tim Richmond. In my opinion, Tim was second to none at the time he drove and that included old Ironhead.

Maybe not second to Petty @ the time as Petty was in the later stages of his career when Tim started racing but he was still second to Earnhardt.

 

[fastfordfan]

But remember Tim was on a death wish the last few years he drove like he had nothing to lose and he didn't

 

[robbybee]

I would have voted for Steven Wallace had he been matched up with Dale Sr...

This was a bullsh!t line. I would never actually skew the polls in such a slanted manner. I said it just to say it and see whet the reaction would be.

I appreciate everything Senior achieved in his career and I would certainly agree that he is among the greats. But the Greatest Ever?
Hells NO!

 

[Greg]

^ No problem Robbybee. Strong cases could be made for several drivers.


Even the term "greatest driver" and the measurement or criteria is subjective. If we have had a good discussion, respected the drivers, and I think we have, I think we should be happy.

 

[robbybee]

^ No problem Robbybee. Strong cases could be made for several drivers.


Even the term "greatest driver" and the measurement or criteria is subjective. If we have had a good discussion, respected the drivers, and I think we have, I think we should be happy.

YEP!

And again, Greg...Thanks!

 

[Greg]

Reminder: only one day of voting remains.

At this point, this one is to close for any of news outlets to declare or project a winner. So if you plan on voting, it is time to Git R done

 

[Greg]

Gotta be major chicken to start a poll that you can't vote on, but that is where or who I am.


Richard or Dale, the pioneer ambassador that transcended many eras, or the hardcore rugged warrior, the master of grit, I can't decide.


To vote for one and not the other feels like a sin to me, so I will just say pass, next question please.


David, Dale, and Richard were my original top three, but picking the best one is impossible to me.

 

[FlFlash]

Don't worry Greg you've done an outstanding job on this.

And for a little factoid/statistic many may not know, Pearson/Petty finished First and Second 63 times in Cup racing......Pearson was Number 1 61% of the time

 

[klemmabyna]

absolutely have had a great time with this. credit also given to the members here. most times this type of thread eventually turns in to flame wars. hasn't been the case here. great sharing of info and opinions.

even if 25 of you are wrong!

 

[Greg]

Wow

It is a dead heat with 5 hours to go.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Wow

It is a dead heat with 5 hours to go.

It's the Racing Forums version of the 2012 Iowa Caucus.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Somebody call the Supreme Court.

 

[fastfordfan]

I Believe that TRL Is Cheating