Ruslan wrote: ↑3 years ago
jimclark wrote: ↑3 years ago
As I said, I stick some of the drivers on top of my list because of their technical knowledge, not just driving skill (although my choices are up there, even Jim.
A) Yes, well, technical knowledge is not really driving, although it does help
Re: the NASCAR drivers not "stepping out of their comfort zone", you need to do some more research. You're mistaken. A whole bunch have. Just Indy alone, but also IMSA, SCCA, and even WSCC (most notably, Le Mans). (BTW, where were you talking about David going. I have an answer but 'curious about yours)
B) In the last couple of decades there have been some NASCAR drivers showing up particularly at Daytona 24 hours, but to date none of them have won overall. Dan Gurney won the first one in 1962, Phil Hill in 1964, Mark Donahue in 1969, Mario Andretti in 1972, A.J. Foyt in 1983 and 1985, and Al Unser Jr in 1986 and 1987 (who I think was better than he Dad when he was sober). And then there is LeMans, with overall wins by Phil Hill (1958, 1961, 1962), Dan Gurney (1967), A. J. Foyt (1967). I don't see any NASCAR guys at the top and no Americans at the top since 1996. And then there is Indy in 1972, where Cale Yarlborough finished 10th (Mark Donohue won) but I think that was the last time any NASCAR driver ran Indy (ignoring returnees like Montoya). There might be a NASCAR driver somewhere on the Indy grid since 1972, but I don't recall any right now.
A) That's what I was inferring in the sentence you quoted.
B) You keep moving the goal posts on me.
I was not referring to the last two decades or winners.
I was referring to your "Only a few have
ever stepped out of the comfort of their world (notably:
Dave Pearson and Cale Yarlborough)." which I thought meant any/ever....which would include a small sheet load.....
Along with your two, there's (I remember offhand, there's more).....Dick Brooks, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Lee Roy Yarbrough, Mark Martin (3rd overall and 1st in GTO with 70 year old PLN et al,1995 Rolex 24), Herschel McGriff.....
Anywho, even with your latest target (last 2 decades) let me remind you that Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch did Indy (both finished 6th iirc to boot) within the last two decades (2001 and 2014, respectively) along with IMSA. Both Earnhardts finished 4th in the Rolex 24 in '01; Kyle Petty was in that one too..
How about Jimmy Johnson (Psssssttt....this year's Rolex and Sebring for Pete's sake...
)? Ever heard of
Jeff Gordon? They've dabbled outside "their" box, too.
Want to change the parameters again? I'm up for it.
Those were the days my friends, we thought they'd never end.....
jimclark