A couple of wing drivers in recent years have taken off the crutch and been successful. Haud, Smith jr, Kerr, and D Smith come to me off the top of my head.
The success that they had was at fast half mile tracks where momentum is huge. Watch a wing, (or wang per eldora mark), at the big tracks and if a driver makes one small mistake, i.e. getting too sideways into a corner, and they have lost a 1/4 to 1/2 a lap. They are able to be competitive at the big tracks due to straighter driving styles and keeping momentum up.
Cant think of any wing racers that have spanked the boys on a 1/4 mile bullring.