Why Do We Keep Seeing "Dale Earnhardt Was The Greatest" All Over?

Question

I LOVE NASCAR. I have been a racing fan close to 40 years now.
I have noticed in the NASCAR discussion forums, Dale Sr. being discussed as if he were some God. The recurring theme has been "he was the Greatest racecar driver in the history of racing".
These so called "fans" perpetrating this falsehood are rabid about it.
Tthey obviously know NOTHING about racing, and suddenly after Dale Sr. was tragically killed, God rest his soul, suddenly everyone is a racing expert.
So lets keep it real. If they REALLY knew anything about NASCAR, you would know that Richard Petty is the UNDISPUTED king of racing, with 200 Winston cup wins, and in ONE SEASON won 27 of 48 races. Earnhardt in no way could ever have had the claim of being the "greatest".
Now, if you still believe he was the GREATEST, then move over to the left with the group that believes Millie Vanillie were greater than Elvis and the Beatles.

I will add that to the couple who claim Earnhardt
was the "Greatest" regardless of the facts....the powers that be that know a hell of alot more than I do have all said pretty much the same thing, adding that Earl's popularity was also due to the fact that he was a rebel, and used unsportsmanlike like conduct in the races, like purposely smashing into other racers he was ticked off at. And his son was another matter. Like one poster said...suddenly after Dale died, his son was worshiped and raised to an imaginary "great" status. And these people have ignored the fact that he has also engaged in unsportmanlike conduct. Like father like son.
The poster who stated the godlike status, without stats to back it up makes them sick, I can relate. These are the people who give the sport a bad name and get everyone who loves the sport who know what is reality the name "redneck".
Again, these people are in the same ilk as the ones who swear Brittany Spears is the greatest non-lipsyncing vocalist

Answer 1

By the rules that Earnhardt drove under, Gordon has all but surpassed him in Championships and career wins. By all means Petty is the greatest ever!

Answer 2

Many people, myself included, would dispute the fact that Richard Petty is the greatest driver in the history of NASCAR. Many of his wins were in very small fields of cars, some barely over a dozen others. He raced much more than most drivers back then because the majority of them had to hold regular jobs to pay their bills. He had the benefit of the best equipment coming from the manufacturers. In the mid '60s he had by far the best cars and 1967, when he ran the big hemi that nobody had an answer for, was an absolute joke. He is a top 5 driver for sure but NOT the best in the opinion of many people that can see beyond just the wins and championships. I would argue that David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jeff Gordon are ALL ahead of Richard Petty on the all time greatest list but no matter what it's a matter of opinion. Another thing is the difficulty in trying to compare different eras. They had different rules, number of races and points systems so there is nothing continuous that can be compared from one driver to the next.

Answer 3

Yes Petty Was and Always will Be The KING!!!!--People always say Petty had no Competition as their main reason Earnhardt Sr is Better Than King Richard!!!--It is a Crying Shame These people forget Nascar Greats Like Cale Yarlborough--David Pearson-Darrell Waltrip--all whom are Nascar Champions more than 1 time some 3 times in a row that Petty Had to Slug it out with each and every Race while winning his 7 Championships!!!---Not to Mention Bobby and Donnie Allison- A J Foyt--Jr Johnson Ned Jarrett and Fireball Roberts just to name a few!!!!!

Answer 4

Yes Petty had 200 wins carrer, and 27 wins in a season, but remember, Petty earned a bunch of those wins in seasons where drivers raced 50 races in a season, and as you said, his 27 wins were in a 48 race season. With so many races in a season, some of the fields were watered down, with drivers opting for different events, or not exactly having the money to make it to a certain event.

Earnhardt had won 7 championships, equal to Petty, and had Gordon not come along when he did, a 8th or 9th could of been a possibility.

To say that if someone says that if a person claims Earnhardt to be the best is equal to saying Millie Vanillie is greater than Elvis and the Beatles, thats a little overboard. Some of the Earnhardt (and Jr.) fans do tend to get a little overboard with their support, but they do have a leg to stand up on in an argument on who is the greatest.

Answer 5

I think anyone would be better than Tony Eury Jr. He is only there because he is related to Jr. He bought himself a little more time last year at Michigan because he made the call to stay out and not get fuel. I think Jr. would be a lot better off if Tony Eury Sr. would switch over. He is like a father figure to Jr. and would be able to keep his temper in check. An off the wall choice would be Dale Jarrett. He was a very smart driver, and from his commentary he sounds like he knows how the cars work. I think a former driver would be a good choice, especially one Jr. respects so much. Remember Jr. spoke with Jarrett when he was trying to decide where to go when he left DEI.

Answer 6

So, are you saying that winning 2 Cups simply because he ran more races than his competition and/or had more winnings, which at the time figured into the points calculations, proves Petty to be the best?

LOL!

Early point systems were simply atrocious and inequitable.



I don't know what else to say other than, I was born and raised in the Carolinas, two states that combined have produced drivers that have won 981 races and 33 Titles and the argument of who's the best all-time is far from settled here. Even among fans who have followed NASCAR since the beginning.

Myself, a 48 year fan, and I'm not convinced Petty was the best.

Answer 7

Yikes, as the first poster said you maybe want to look into the witness protection program! I was a seriously die-hard #3 fan. Although I am not quite as rabid a fan as other 3 fans.
I do agree that if you look simply at stats there are better numbers that he had, but as we all know, stats can be used for anything and don't really mean that much.
If his career had not been tragically cut short some of those numbers may have changed, maybe not. However in saying all of this he was still a hero to many people and fans.

Answer 8

Look out Randy! I'd suggest the federal witness protection program.
I go all over the board on who THE GREATEST was, or is. Ya know, fans of most other sports know that it is fun to debate, but we'll never REALLY know.
There's one thing for sure- The King has records that will never be broken: 200 wins, 27 in a season, and 10 consecutive.
And to think people are whiningabout Jimmie's 10 for a WHOLE SEASON and 4 in a row!
Sr. was great, but assigning God-like status to him makes me sick to my stomach.
He was ONE of the best though.

Answer 9

To say Dale Earnhardt was the greatest is like comparing apples to oranges. He is undoubtedly one of the best but there are many others who raced in the beginnings of nascar who many of you younger fans never heard of. Dale Earnhardt was one of the best of his times just like Petty was one of the best during his career, just like Fireball Roberts was one the best during his career and a number of others.

Answer 10

You seem to have a strange sense of comparison. I understand that you are a big fan of the King, but how can you discount the accomplishments of the Intimidator? There is great debate as to which was greater, but fact is, they were both great! You must allow everyone a right to their opinion, even if you don't agree with it. Dale Earnhardt did make a huge contribution to making NASCAR what it is today. He did more to promote this sport than anyone else.

Go Jr.>>>>x