Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

No. 19 on PennLive's list of Top 25 Sprint Car Drivers in the Country

3 people already say he should'nt be on the list per your interactive pole. They've got to be voting on off track problems vice on track performance.

so, are all the PA drivers going to be in the top 10??

Seems like following the WoO or not being in PA is going to be a strike against everyone....

Think it would be good to know what the time frame for this is. If it's based on the current season, then I very much disagree with some of the picks already. Also, not sure if its based on body of work or what.

This one does seem a little high given how TK's ran this year, and I think both Madsen and McMahan have been criminally underrated, and Stewart, Brown and Gravel seem a bit low as well. 

Surely you dont expect Knoxville guys to be in there?

I will answer some of these questions:

First, I put a post out before this started. If you go into the story package at the side on each story that has the list of all drivers, there is a criteria post. However, to save time, it is 50 percent career achievements and 50 percent recent performance. Big-race wins are weighted heavily. 

Second, this list isn't slanted towards any group of drivers. Pennsylvania guys are on the list, but they aren't rated higher just because they are front the Keystone State.

Third, yes, there are some Knoxville guys on the list. Brown was the first. 

I'm not slanted towards Pennsylvania drivers. Only three made the list, plus one fringe guy. I have the list of 25 guys but decide each morning who goes next. It's 50 percent career accomplishment, 50 percent current performance, big-race wins and also the eye test.

There is a good mix of World of Outlaws, Pennsylvania, Midwest, All Star and even a couple California guys. Definitely tough to put together, but it has been fun.

based on his criteria, maybe 2-3 (McCarl, Lasoski, and Brown)....

but, based on his criteria, Brown recent success (the last 3-4 years) should IMO, put him higher than he is rated.

I'd say Lasoski (based on the past 5-8 years, has dropped down from top 10 to a  20-25 driver.

McCarl?  Probably 10-15 range (he's still winning like he always has even though he doesn't have an "outlaw caliber" budget like he did 4-5 years ago.

I guess it's kind of too early to say if these guys are misplaced or not. I guess if we're balancing 50/50 then TK might be in the right spot. Will have to see the rest of the list before arguing about it. 

Yes I agree with you about Mc Carl! He has been very strong this year. Although I don't know why people are trying to paint him as an underdog. He has multiple championships 

admittedly, he doesn't have a ton of equipment (1 car and 1 motor per his own statements), but he seems to be driving better than he has in a few years (since the driveline broke his lower leg (what was that now, 3-4 years ago)).

The reason Brown is so low is almost undoubtedly due to the fact that he has never won an Outlaw race. He has an extensive resume, but many second place finishes with the WoO.

Based on his WoO wins with a limited schedule, I'd put him Top 10 easy....

I think I know who the four with PA ties are and I think three of these four are sure-fire future Hall of Famers as of today because they've all beaten the Outlaws many times.  Have won many BIG races too.

Sorry to get involved with the debate here but, IF Rahmer was still racing, where do you think you would put him Gators??  I know this may spark some discussion.  Im going to go on a limb and say the 4 PA drivers are, Hodnett, Kreitz, Dewease and Deitrich, and I would say Deitrich is roughyl around the number 18 spot.

Hodnett, Kreitz and DD with Stevie as the "fringe guy". LD is my all-time favorite driver but he's nowhere near the top 25 anymore, hasn't been for a few years.

A

Rahmer would be top 8 at least. No way Dietrich is ahead of all these guys. He's not on the list.

How the hell can TK be rated ahead of the 3rd and 5th in drivers in WOO points? Or Brian Brown? He's not having a great year to say the least.

A

It's not just based on this year. TK had 9 wins in limited action with the World of Outlaws last season. He was the best racer in California for a number of years, winning 64 KWS races. Won 15 NST races in 2006 against Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers and others. 

Not too shabby.

The reason he is ahead of McMahan is because of that success in a shorter amount of time. McMahan still looking for that signature win, as is Kaeding, so that is a wash.

As for Brown, think he is real good. But his 360 racing doesn't count here. His two runner-up finishes at Knoxville are list clinchers, but no Outlaw wins hurts. Like I said, I think Brown is every bit as talented as McMahan, Kaeding and others...just needs that big win.

When will the first "traditional", non-winged, sprint car driver be recognized?  This poll appears to be biased towards winged drivers from Posseland.