Jeff Gordon's win last weekend at Phoenix was a milestone for the four-time champion.
Anyone with a pulse is aware that Jeff Gordon matched the late Dale Earnhardt's career win total of 76, which is sixth on NASCAR’s all-time win list. Ironically, Gordon a chance to break that tie this weekend at Talladega, the track that Earnhardt utterly dominated throughout his career. It is also the same track that Earnhardt won his 76th and final NASCAR race in October of 2000. It is also the track where Earnhardt fans dominate the grandstands. These Earnhardt fans are often the most brutal, especially when it comes to Jeff Gordon.
It will be intriguing to see how these fans will react if Gordon was to win the Aaron’s 499 and pass Dale Earnhardt on NASCAR’s all-time win list.
All week long, the debate has been- Is Jeff Gordon better than Dale Earnhardt? The comparisons between the two have not been lacking. Well, it is easy to compare their career stats versus each other; however, deciphering which driver is superior is nothing more than mere opinion and bias. Other than winning races and championships, Gordon and Earnhardt’s careers have been dissimilar.
Earnhardt fans will argue that he has won more championships. Well, it could be said that the competition is much tighter now because more teams are backed with quality resources. Gordon fans will argue that he is better because it is inevitable that he will win more races, and has already won more Daytona 500’s. But this would be a non-issue is Earnhardt was still alive. The Intimidator had at least three or four good years left in him, and it is logical to believe that he would have surpassed Cale Yarborough (83 wins), Bobby Allison (84 wins), and Darrell Waltrip (84 wins) on the all-time win list and would be sitting third. It is even possible that he would have exceeded the 90-win mark by now.
Also, the beginning of Earnhardt and Gordon's careers is poles apart. Gordon was impressive in the USAC ranks as a teenager and earned a top notch Busch Series ride with Bill Davis, and then a Winston Cup ride with powerhouse owner Rick Hendrick by the time he reached 21 years old. But remember, Gordon got these opportunities because he was so good at such a young age. And he has easily been the most victorious driver since he became a Cup driver in 1993.
Earnhardt was lacking in money and resources as he raced on the local short tracks in the early 1970’s. His first big break came at the age of 27 as he raced for Rod Osterlund in his first two seasons, winning the 1979 rookie of the year award and the 1980 Winston Cup championship. He spent some time with Richard Childress Racing back when Childress’ team was an also-ran. He had a brief tenure with Bud Moore, but his heart was with Richard Childress Racing, so he returned to the # 3 ride in 1984, and the rest is history. Together Earnhardt and Childress built a dynasty.
The bottom-line is that Earnhardt and Gordon are legends regardless of how they got to NASCAR, and both drivers will go down as two of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. So let's stop comparing the two, please.
Who will win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega? Tony Stewart. It is very realistic to say that Jeff Gordon will win his 77th NASCAR race this weekend, but Tony Stewart is overdue for a win at Talladega. Basically, he is overdue for a win in general. Stewart will win the Aaron’s 499, and will not be thanking NASCAR in his post-race interview, that is if he gives one.
Projected Top Ten
1. Tony Stewart
2. Kurt Busch
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr
4. Jeff Gordon
5. David Gilliland
6. Ryan Newman
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Martin Truex Jr
10. Matt Kenseth
Darkhorse picks- Ricky Rudd, Joe Nemechek, Jamie McMurray, Mike Wallace, Sterling Marlin
Who could use a good finish? Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Dave Blaney, and Casey Mears
Friday April 27
2:30 PM NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice, SPEED
4:00 PM Final NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice (Happy Hour), SPEED
Saturday April 28
11:00 AM NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying, SPEED
Sunday April 29
1:30 PM Aaron’s 499 at Talladega, FOX
