Originally Posted by Doug Bushey:
Ouch! This topic has been debated over and over for years, but will never have a definitive answer. But just for fun, I'd like to hear Steve Kinser and Tony Stewart speak on the subject...and learn what their opinions are as to which sprint cars...WoO or USAC...is of higher caliber...or which group requires more talent. Hmmm...
In my humble opinion, many of the greatest sprint car drivers of all time, including many past USAC winners and champions, learned discipline, finesse, and how to overcome fear of flat-footing a lap from driving a winged sprint car. Of course, this debate is fairly recent in the historical timeline of sprint car racing, since airfoils weren't mandated in any series before the 1970's. Therefore, we'll never know the opinion's of guys like Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Larson, Parnelli, etc.
Growing up in California, watching kids like Jeff Gordon, the Kaeding Family, Brad Sweet, Damion Gardner, Robert Ballou, Kevin Swindell, Kyle Larson, and many, many others hold the throttle pedal on the floor all the way around a hooked-up clay oval, straight as an arrow, and within inches of the wall and within inches of same line each and every lap with ease was truly something special. I guarantee you that the courage and confidence that was gained from running winged shows against the best in the country is what allowed these guys to succeed in ANY type of racing.
The statement that most open-wheel drivers in Nascar came from USAC is an undeniable fact. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that they started there, or that they mastered the sport without a wing. It means that they were good when they were hired away from USAC! Most of the drivers you are referencing made the move to Indy to join USAC because they know that the United States Auto Racing club has a great following, highest recognition, best competition, and longest and most storied history. They also know that when it comes to being "discovered", there really isn't any better platform in the Nation.
I truly believe that USAC National Sprint and Midget events have the best RACING...bar none...of ANY series in the world. However, to say that non-wing drivers are more talented as a group than winged sprint car drivers isn't something that you'll be able to convince this fan of any time soon. First of all, it is FAR too general of a statement. There are legends and masters in both forms of sprint car racing.
Bryan Clauson, JJ Yeley, Dean Thompson, Jimmie Okie, Darren Hagen, Mike Spencer, Cory Kruseman, and Rich Vogler are just a few on my huge list of all-time heroes. However, for various reasons none of them have ever made headlines as winged sprint champions. We all know they are some of the best shoes that ever strapped into a sprint car. However, most of my winged sprint car heroes, including Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Jan Opperman, Jac Haudenschild, Brent, Bud & Tim Kaeding, and many others have all managed to remove the "Barn Doors" on several occasions and take home the biggest share of the purse and hardware from some of the Nation's largest sprint car races ever. That, my friend, you cannot dispute.
I am a sprint car fan...period. Maybe you could say a sprint car purist. I will watch ANY sprint car race, winged dirt, winged asphalt, non-wing dirt, or non-wing asphalt. I don't care. I just love the sport in any shape and fashion. I can't figure out how some people want to close their eyes and minds to some forms of this great spectacle. But I do respect everone's opinion on the subject.
I'm just sayin'...
Such a thoughtful post. I never took the time to analyze the argument in the way you have. I always thought is was more of a gentle ribbing thing. Something harmless, virtually meaningless and meant in good fun. Kind of like the old "tastes great vs. less filling'' argument in the old Bud Light commercials. Personally I only make smart-a$$ remarks about wings and pavement and fenders in good fun because that gentle ribbing is just part of the 'culture' I grew up in.
For me, it's so cool when I meet other people in the real world who can actually have the conversation we're having because they also know the difference between these things. That's when you know you've met a PURE/TRUE/REAL race fan, like you.
Personally I think it's all about $$ cause I think if my dad had been a trust fund baby he probably would have preferred racing against Steve or Sheldon Kinser instead of Bob Kinser.
All that being said, it would still be sheer awesomeness to see Scheckter at TNT and personally, I wouldn't mind it a bit if they ripped out the asphalt
You can take a girl out of the dirt track, but you can't take the dirt track out of the girl.
