Michael Andretti.
Thoughts?
Michael Andretti.
Thoughts?
He was pretty good. Tony Kanaan might be as good at the Speedway.
The fans should be the absolute last people considered on any decision that could effect a participant. Doc Austin
Lying was a no-brainer for me. Robin Miller
"I thought they booed [Danica] because she was being a complete jerk, but then they applauded for A.J. Foyt. Now I'm just confused."
TK is the Michael of his generation (aka the "Hard Luck Guy")...all, of course, in the tradition of the late, great Lloyd Ruby!
In Order:
1. Michael Andretti (There's Really No Argument)
2. Rex Mays - not as consistent a finisher as Horn, but led far more laps
3. Ted Horn
4. Tony Kanaan - You could argue TK at 3, but his results arent as good as Horn's
5. Lloyd Ruby - Some great runs, but some pretty bad runs too
(6) Jimmy Snyder - R.I.P. otherwise would have likely been a multiple winner
It has to be Michael. The guy has 42 wins, and got them at all sorts of tracks. There may be harder-luck stories of more beloved drivers, but if we're talking best, Michael has to be it.
....
That really sums it up.Originally Posted by FTHurley
Great list! I'd add Mel Kenyon in the Top 10, at least.
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I still have go with Michael. Dominated races at Indy, led more career laps than many winners, won so many races in so many places, won two 500 mile races that I went to at MIS, maybe more post split.
I think the measure is how great were drivers overall not just at Indy and not winning. I think Dan Gurney certainly had a stellar career even not winning Indy, can you really put Scott Goodyear in that category? I would say both Jackie Stewart or Tony Stewart rate higher than Goodyear outside of the 500.
"You can't arrest those guys, they're folk heroes"
"They're criminals"
"Well most folk heroes started out as criminals"
Speaking of Gurney and how good he was...consider this story. After Jim Clark's funeral service, Clark's dad pulled Gurney aside and said: "I didn't want to say anything in front of the other guys, but I wanted you to know that you were the only one Jimmy feared." Upon hearing this, Gurney was so shaken that he almost broke down, saying: "Jimmy didn't fear anyone" and his dad replied: "No, on several occasions he told me that you were the only one he truly feared." That's about as high of praise as one can get.
Damn....that's saying something right there.
Pancho Carter and Roberto Guerrero both had good results early in their careers. They've also spent a fair bit of time as Coaches for other drivers at Indy. That says something to me.
I saw Gurney relate the story on a documentary about Grand Prix racing in the 60s. The interview was probably done sometime early in the past decade and telling the story even then caused him to breakdown. I think Gurney rarely gets his due as one of America's greatest drivers...but he belongs on any list. Consider that he was not only a driver...but also a car builder (and some of those early Eagle designs were simply gorgeous).
I wouls say Michael is the best during my years of watching but Danny Ongais was also pretty damn good and had a couple year span where he was as fast as anyone. His talent is not recognized as much because his carreer was short, never fully recovering from his crash at Indy in 81. He was in position to win that race but lost it going into 3 in a Smiley like fashion.
Gary Bettenhausen was the most badazz driver not to win....
Every race I run in is in preparation for the Indianapolis 500. Indy is the most important thing in my life. It is what I live for. - Al Unser Jr.
Everything I ever wanted in my life, I found inside the walls of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. - Eddie Sachs.
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