That is what makes racing unique when compared to other sports. One can compare hockey player to hockey player, soccer player to soccer player, basketball player to basketball player, etc., for the respective game is the same across the board.

When it comes to racing there are so many variables - pavement, dirt, open wheel, tin top, oval, road course, not to mention the different styles and formulas of the cars involved. With all of that, a direct comparison can rarely be made unless drivers jump to different cars.

I personally think Schatz would be fantastic in a non-wing car. Just like I think Dave Darland would have been tops in a winged car had he chosen to go that route. But these are just projections of what will more than likely never happen.

And one always has to factor in the equipment the driver has been using in his career and money behind it and him.

So, direct comparisons are out there for the debate of those involved. A never ending topic. Like judging drivers from different eras against each other - for example, would Jimmie Johnson had won all of his titles racing against Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough in their primes? How would Jackie Stewart fare if he was in his prime at the same time Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna were?

Us fans will debate until we die.

With his IndyCar efforts along with his sprint car success, one can make a good argument that Clauson is #1 in sprints. However, the way Schatz dominated this year...... I will default to a dead heat. A tie.

Yes, I know...... the coward's way out....