Gordon edges toward Earnhardt's 76 wins

AP ^ | April 16, 2005 | Mike Harris

[r5boston]

eff Gordon never has approached the popularity of the late Dale Earnhardt -- perhaps NASCAR's biggest star ever. But Gordon is fast approaching one of Earnhardt's greatest accomplishments.

A victory last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway was Gordon's second of the year and the 71st of his career, moving him within five of matching Earnhardt's 76 wins -- fifth on NASCAR's victory list.

[kingattax]

[cripplecreek]

Gordon might match Earnhardt's 76 wins but he won't ever match Petty's 200. The competition is much too tough these days. Gordon might win 5 championships or maybe even 6 but I think the days of 7 or more are over.

[Joe Bonforte]

NASCAR fans are funny. Darrell Waltrip has more wins that Earnhardt and their careers overlapped almost exactly, but the story didn't even contain Waltrip's name.

Earnhardt fans also seemed willing to forgive him any actions that he took to win (inside or outside the rules), but were not nearly as forgiving when other drivers were able to outshine Earnhardt. A lot of Gordon's boos come from Earnhardt fans who can't seem to face the fact that Gordon is simply a better, more consistent driver than Earnhardt ever was, and does it without a reputation for dirty driving.

[sgtbono2002]

Gordon is a piss-ant whining crybaby who couldnt carry Earnharts jockstrap although it is rumored he would like to sniff it.

[Joe Bonforte]

Thanks for emphasizing my point.

[Jeff Gordon]

Gordon is a piss-ant whining crybaby who couldnt carry Earnharts jockstrap although it is rumored he would like to sniff it.

Tell us how you really feel.

[tiredoflaundry]

Don't hold back. Just tell us how you really feel! ;-)

[ReeWalker]

Well said!!

[tiredoflaundry]

GMTAO

[SheLion]

I don't care how many wins Jeffie has. He still couldn't make a pimple on Earnhardt's butt!

[SheLion]

Earnhardt fans also seemed willing to forgive him any actions that he took to win (inside or outside the rules), but were not nearly as forgiving when other drivers were able to outshine Earnhardt. A lot of Gordon's boos come from Earnhardt fans who can't seem to face the fact that Gordon is simply a better, more consistent driver than Earnhardt ever was, and does it without a reputation for dirty driving.

Well, I will tell you what.  If Earnhardt were still alive, all this crap with Nextel/NASCAR wouldn't be happening either.  NASCAR is starting to let little girly men drive, IMHO.

[SheLion]

And Gordon is a better Driver than Dale. It took Dale over 20 years to get those wins in a time when NASCAR rules didn't enforce nearly as much parity.

Yes, will look at the equipment they have today.  Plus computers working in the pits.  And the engines are special built.  It might have taken Dale longer to rack up the wins, but he did it mostly with self made cars.  Remember those days?

Plus they didn't have the big sponsors shelling out all that money either.  Sponsorship means everything.

[digger48]

Yes, will look at the equipment they have today.

Too bad old #3 was too pig-headed to take advantage of some of it. He might stll be running guys off the track instead of being a worm farm.

[GRRRRR]

Didn't lots of Petty's wins come when they were running races Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Nothing wrong with them all counting, but 'back then' is a lot differnt than now.

Petty's wins came in another era of Nascar, the modern era is another story.

G

[GRRRRR]

All Time Wins Listing HERE

[cripplecreek]

Somebody once asked Benny Parsons if Richard Petty was really that good. Benny said "Nah he just got lucky 200 times".