Choice seems easy. Indy to Knoxville kokomo Perris Eldora. Bryan Clauson

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
I've only been following sprint cars 5 yrs., can't comment on the good ole days. In the last few years, Larson, Rico, Bacon, & Bell have won in winged cars. What primarily winged driver has won in wingless?

There hasn't been much crossover in the last 10 years. IMO, it has nothing to do with one car being harder to drive than another. They are talented racers and will figure it out with laps. Talent always rises to the top. You used to see it much more, but not these days. Its pretty much a money game for these drivers. A lot of them are under contracts and make salaries and race for a % of the nightly winnings for 60-100 race nights a year on a greater purse on a nightly basis than than non wing stuff.
The risk is greater than the reward for them.

The aforementioned drivers are still young and trying to make their way. Clearly they are all very talented and I would add Thorson to the mix as well.

I think Larson would race radio flyer wagons if he could and he would win at that. Rico has dabbled in the non wing stuff at Calistoga and has won 3 of the 4 races, I think. I have yet to see Bell in a non wing car. Bacon would prefer the wing and wants to put a deal together to run a full time wing deal, but its just not materialized so he runs the 69 to put food on the table weekly.
For the younger guys its about making it to the next level for others its about paying the bills.

To answer the initial question. Larson. The first time I saw him race I knew he was special. He has a moxy about him not many have and it shows. He reminds me of the guy that just retired. I remember watching him 30 years ago when he was age 13. You knew he was special right away.

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
I've only been following sprint cars 5 yrs., can't comment on the good ole days. In the last few years, Larson, Rico, Bacon, & Bell have won in winged cars. What primarily winged driver has won in wingless?

Are you kidding? I really hope you are pulling our collective leg. All of those guys came from winged cars to wingless, as well as Ballou and Gardner. Where do you think they learned to run a sprint car so hard?

Given the criteria, if BC has already been selected, and while hes a little old, I'd pick Dave Darland. He's had sucess at points in his career at I beleive every division mentioned (not sure if Daves ever ran a winged pavement sprint?).

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by Rhody:
Are you kidding? I really hope you are pulling our collective leg. All of those guys came from winged cars to wingless, as well as Ballou and Gardner. Where do you think they learned to run a sprint car so hard?

No, not kidding. Like I said I've only been watching about 5 yrs.

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by Kart#51:
Interesting. Clearly not what I have seen throughout my racing body of work. I think you have it backwards and the record books would tell you so.

Sammy last ran a non wing car in the mid-2000's for Jeff Walker. He ran it at Eldora and Osky. He was quite competitive too.

Almost 10 years removed from non wing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWzja7OnhQ

Great video stuff, 51! Thanx! :6:

And thanx for the history class today with respect to Sammy!

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

I'd flip a coin between Christopher Bell and Rico - but would be happy with Clausen or Larson.

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
you're joking, right? I'm a sammy fan, but when was the last time he drove wingless???

look what happend at eldora when shane took the wing off!

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by stoney:
look what happend at eldora when shane took the wing off!

What happened? I take it he won?
Never said it was impossible ;)

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

xx

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Shane took the wing off at the Burg and went upside down during time trails, just glad he walked away from it :6:

Re: Something to ponder/discuss
 

Originally Posted by stoney:
look what happend at eldora when shane took the wing off!

Didn't realize Shane crashed at Eldora??

One of the last times Sammy took the wing off he was second at the Mopar Thunder in 2004 to Kevin Huntley. I guess the winged guys didn't crash that day.