Craven’s greatest NASCAR driver: Petty? Earnhardt? Gant? Kenseth? Gordon?
Quote selected text Published October 12th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Ricky Craven lists his favorite all-time NASCAR drivers and who he thinks is the best ever:
‘I raced one time against Richard Petty. He would be a logical and popular choice. His 200 career wins are the sport’s best and will not be exceeded.’
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‘Dale Earnhardt was the absolute best at winning races and not caring how he looked doing it. Although he never appeared to be a great qualifier, there is no equal when it came to closing the deal on race day or coming out on top of a door-to-door battle.’
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‘Part of my criteria for being the best to ever wheel a race car would be fundamentals, like car control. Harry Gant and I battled for a Busch Series win at New Hampshire International Speedway in October of 1991. I went to victory lane that day and carried with me an appreciation of being able to race side by side, as hard as possible, with a true professional. Gant allowed me to race to his outside while squeezing every ounce of speed from his car to my inside.’
‘He left me barely enough room to exit the corners without hitting the wall – or about a fraction of an inch between our cars. He was one of only a few drivers who could demonstrate that ability, at any track, lap after lap.’
‘Matt Kenseth is today’s version of Gant. Matt makes very few mistakes from the driver’s seat and has the gift of going very fast without looking fast.’
‘Kenseth always appears in control and has a Nextel Cup championship as a result of his terrific driving ability.’
‘Both Kenseth and Gant are very good and would certainly get nominations for the best driver.’
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‘Like other exceptional athletes, he combines above-average talent with a commitment and work ethic to be the best. He understands his car better than most drivers, but more important, understands and communicates precisely what he needs to make his car go fast.’
‘When the car won’t perform to its potential, he has the depth and experience to make adjustments inside the car using his hands and feet to manipulate speed.’
‘Jeff Gordon has consistently performed at a higher level than all others I have competed against. His four championships are the most among active drivers. Like most champions, he uses all resources to find ways to win. His quest for a fifth title was enhanced by his last-lap pass to win Talladega last week.’
‘Regardless of whether you’re a Gordon fan or not, you have to respect the numbers he has achieved and the way he finds ways to win.’
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im sorry but matt kenseth doesn’t belong in this group. he’s a great talent but he hasnt been a big factor like the other three have been (excluding gant) have been in the sport. Petty was great in his day but that day of nascar was far different than what it is now. I think it will definatly be a close one between earnhardt and gordon. Im not a gordon fan but he definatly is a great driver and has shown he’s got what it takes but i dont think nobody will ever drive like earnhardt. i think it should go to dale. just my opinion about it
Hell yeah he does(Matt Kenseth)…he’s one of the most underrated wheelmen out there every weekend! He’s the main reason for the chase because he kicked so much ass in 2003 and has still made every one of them. Not to mention he was a threat for the championship last year.
jeff wrote:
I agree with you re Kenseth. That’s why I thought this was an interesting article to post. I’m sure there’ll be lots of opinions.
NickB wrote:
Don’t get me wrong….I think Kenseth is a damn good driver. But in my opinion not in this discussion.
I agree also, Kenseth doesn’t QUITE YET belong in this group.
He is somewhat underrated, but not that much.
Kenseth before gordon? I don’t think so! I respect JG even though I am not a fan of his and he is one of the best drivers I have ever seen. What abour JJ? TS? to many to name!
when matt wins 4 championships or more, then put him in this list other than that nooo
Don’t pick on Matt. These are Craven’s choices. He had brain damage, so cut him some slack. Does it bother anyone that Kulwicki only won 5 races and a championship in a very short time? Two of the wins were in his championship year. Gant is often overlooked because he didn’t win a championship and that’s wrong. He was our Mr. October like Reggie was with the 1977-78 Yankees.
it wont be long fore kasey kane is up there. i may hate gordon with a passion but he can outdrive alot of people. kenseth will make his way onto this list he just has a little ways to go. i expect earnhardt jr will do good next year and get on this list too
Hey- this was a question put to Craven, and he gave a list of drivers HE considered
to be the best. Anyone he says belongs on this list belongs on his list……..
You can not say someone does not belong on a list when the question was to someone to give their opinion. Craven gave
his opinion. End of story!!!!
bj wonder woman (Guest)
Oct 13th, 2007 at 10:13 am Quote
Hey- this was a question put to Craven, and he gave a list of drivers HE considered
to be the best. Anyone he says belongs on this list belongs on his list……..
You can not say someone does not belong on a list when the question was to someone to give their opinion. Craven gave
his opinion. End of story!!!!
This forum is all about peoples opinions. Yes people can say if they dont think somebody belong’s on his list its just their opinion to. It’s open for debate. Craven gave his and I myself just like others gave their opinion as every other post on this website so End of Story!!! go back to doing what you was doing before you left your comment seems its something good seeing that your names BJwonderwoman
jeff wrote:
You are apparently ignorant of the cars, tracks, and sponsorships of the Petty era, or what made the sport what it is today. Car for car and track for track for track, Petty would have overrun Earnhart as he did Earnhart’s father. And would have done it legally, and without runing someone through the wall, as Dale did. He (Dale) died the way he lived and deserved what he got
bobby… you did not really just say Dale Earnhardt got what he deserved did you???
Remember that when you get in your next car accident… when your lookin up from the gurney…
Bobby wrote:
YOU ARE A TOTAL …………H……!
Bobby (Guest)
Oct 13th, 2007 at 2:24 pm Quote
jeff wrote:
im sorry but matt kenseth doesn’t belong in this group. he’s a great talent but he hasnt been a big factor like the other three have been (excluding gant) have been in the sport. Petty was great in his day but that day of nascar was far different than what it is now. I think it will definatly be a close one between earnhardt and gordon. Im not a gordon fan but he definatly is a great driver and has shown he’s got what it takes but i dont think nobody will ever drive like earnhardt. i think it should go to dale. just my opinion about it
You are apparently ignorant of the cars, tracks, and sponsorships of the Petty era, or what made the sport what it is today. Car for car and track for track for track, Petty would have overrun Earnhart as he did Earnhart’s father. And would have done it legally, and without runing someone through the wall, as Dale did. He (Dale) died the way he lived and deserved what he got
Call me ignorant or whatever i dont care moron. Think about that though Nascar as to when petty was driving compared today is totally different. Nascar is all about the setup’s now, teamwork, and a greatdriver comes to play as well. its not fully about horsepower (still is to a degree) like it used to be because they want everybody equal in a way of wording it. For the record what you said about Dale all i can say for you is What goes around comes around. Thats a hell of a thing to wish on somebody. Dale didnt deserve to go so soon but it was an accident that he for surely didnt deserve to be in. Richard Petty is and was a great driver but nobody will ever drive like Dale did. Winning’s Winning. Second place is just the first loser
Also just to say if Jeff Gordon stays in nascar long enough, he will be the only person to break that 200 streak. It will take some time but like i said if he stays in there for many years yet he will do it. No im no jg fan either
You are all wrong, Kenseth does deserve, even with the new points, kenseth and johnson are the only two that have made all the chases. Also it was because of matt they changed the points. Matt is very consistant driver and is always a threat. HE DOES DESERVE to be on this list as he also hasnt been in the sport as long as the other drivers