With Six Races Left, Who Is NASCAR's Top Driver?

With only six races to go until NASCAR’s version of the post season begins. The debates are already in full swing as to who the best driver is out on the track today.

Now while jumping from site to site, it’s not hard to see that the top three are Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Tony Stewart.

These three are noticeably the most talked about, with the majority taking sides with Stewart.

And most of that is because of the success that he has found at Stewart Haas racing so far this season.

Now it’s a given that all three of them have the same chassis as well as the same engines, but what separates the three are when you begin to weigh fact against opinion.

Now I for one am far from a follower of Johnson or Gordon, but instead my favorite driver just happens to be Smoke.

And also being a long time fan of NASCAR, and one that enjoys a good debate especially when it’s against a driver that I really don’t care for.

I have learned in the past to put all my differences aside, especially when it comes to writing about each driver because of one simple reason.

Fact will always outweigh someone’s opinion, because an opinion is just that. A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

An opinion is always based on an individual’s special preference, or to put it in laymen’s terms, it’s what they perceive as being set in stone.

Now because of our human nature, we as individuals are prone to maybe stretch the actual truth just to make our side of the argument sound better then what it actually is.

The only time opinion and fact can ever co-exist, is if opinion is based on fact.

Because one is the truth and the other is just our own personal feelings. A lot of times we let our own feelings get in the way of presenting a really strong debate.

And it’s because we tend to bring our opinions in instead of the cold hard facts, and a fact is something that can never be argued.

An opinion can be changed, and they usually have that, “what if” scenario.

There are no what if’s when it comes to facts, because a fact unlike an opinion cannot be changed.

A fact according to the American Heritage Dictionary is; Knowledge or information based on real occurrences something that actually exists; reality; truth something that has actual existence.

So when you begin to compare the two in the true essence of discussing the sport, which would you rather have?

A fact based statement that can be backed up with reality about something that actually existed?

Or your own statement that has no proof, but instead just a bunch of words thrown together to make yourself sound good?

I know there are some out there who would take the latter because for some unseen reason they are either to hard headed, or they are afraid of listening to the truth because of pure stubbornness.

Now when NASCAR makes decisions on who are the top drivers in the series, they don’t send some questionnaire around asking for the fans opinions.

Because once again an opinion is not substantiated by truth, but instead it always falls back on the love for a certain driver.

Now are opinions wrong? No, because they will always be a part of our sport because of the fact that we all have the drivers that we like and dislike.

But just because you don’t like a certain driver, is also no reason to try and downplay the facts that surround him especially when they stand out like a sore thumb.

Now even though we all have our own opinions, and just like the gum at the bottom your shoe, we will stick to them.

But once again our human nature takes over and because of that love that you have for your driver.

The facts usually get overlooked and more times then naught, the driver is put on higher pedestal then what he actually deserves.

Now while looking at the facts surrounding the argument who is a better driver between Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, or Tony Stewart?

It’s not that difficult to see which one of the three has accomplished more, especially when you look directly at the facts, because once again facts cannot be swayed, but an opinion can.

Jeff Gordon, who is in his 17th season in the Sprint cup series, has already set himself in stone to make into the NASCAR hall of fame once he retires.

There is not really much that Jeff hasn’t already accomplished during his 17 years, except the one track that he has yet to win at, (Homestead-Miami).

Gordon is sitting sixth on the all-time win list, which also includes retired drivers, and he is first on the list of active drivers with 82 wins.

Jeff has already been named one of NASCAR’s top 50 drivers, along with Mark Martin who is also on the list.

Now that alone puts him in a class all by himself as far as modern day active drivers are concerned Jeff has;

Wins-82

Top 10’s-349

Poles-67

Championships-4

Daytona 500 Wins-3

Jimmie Johnson, who is in his eighth year in the Sprint cup series, has already surpassed most of the accomplishments by a driver who has been in the series two years longer.

Whether you like him or not, he has shown that he can handle a cup car, and his list of accomplishments speak for themselves.

When you sit back and think of who actually drives the car?

All that Chad can do is get it ready for race day, but it’s up to Jimmie to get behind the wheel and drive it for all that it is worth.

So to say that it’s because of Chad that Jimmie is doing so well, part of that is true but it’s still up to the driver because he is ultimately the one who drives whatever the crew chief prepares for him. Jimmie has;

Wins-43

Top 10’s-170

Poles-23

Championships-3

Daytona500-1

Tony Stewart, who is in his 11th season in the Sprint cup series.

And because NASCAR only cares about their own stats, and not those of another racing organization.

These are the only ones that will be reflected on when NASCAR decides which drivers are worthy of certain awards.

When you begin to look very carefully at what he has accomplished, are these really worthy of being placed above Jimmie and Jeff?

That big zero sure stands out like a sore thumb, and it was Dale Earnhardt Sr who said, “A career isn’t complete unless you can win the big one.”

Stewart has;

Wins-35

Top 10’s-221

Poles-12

Championships-2

Daytona 500 Wins-0

Now after looking over the facts, how can an argument be made that Smoke is better then Jimmie or Jeff?

All of these stats are earned as well as fact, and they are not handed out because one driver has more fans then the other.

Opinions don’t get drivers into the hall of fame, and opinions don’t get a driver a race win.