Different but equal, lesser tier vs greater, these phrases project the differing ideologies surrounding the arguments about the criteria for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. At this point I must stick my two cents worth in about Richie Evans.
Comparisons of NASCAR to Football and Baseball dominate the arguments. I contend that they do not apply. While there are some “purists” who contend that F1 is the top series of all motorsports, it is difficult to truly rank Indycar, Sportscar, NHRA, Sprint cars, off-road and the various forms of international formula series into a linear hierarchy, shaped like a ladder. I contend that even within NASCAR, the hierarchy is non-linear. Modifieds are as different from Cup, Nationwide and Trucks as Indycar and Formula 1. From their roots until now, modifieds have always been purpose-built racecars whose sole purpose was to go faster than the next guy on dirt or asphalt ovals, not some street car strengthened to last 500 miles (for accuracy here, “stockcars” haven’t been very “stock” since the early 50s, but the argument about “stock appearing” is best left for another day).
Richard Petty is considered the King due to his seven Cup titles and 200 wins. Geoff Bodine still holds the record for most wins in a season in NASCAR with 200 wins in 1986… in modified races. Richie Evans has eight championships… in modifieds. Modified drivers race more races against more drivers in any given season. They are faster than Cup cars. Why are they not the premier series in NASCAR? The answer lies in marketability. Since the flag to flag coverage of the airing of the 1979 Daytona 500, the Cup series has been strategically placed in front of a TV audience and has trained them to think that Sunday afternoon endurance races are the ultimate in Stockcar Racing.
I contend that they are not. They run only 36 races and the fans complain that the season is too long and that the races are too long. I reiterate the same mantra, “Get thee to the local short track.” That’s where the real racing is. Too many old-time fans complain about what the Cup series has become, yet the purity of the sport still exists at the Saturday night bullrings all around this great Nation. Modified and Late Model Stock and Superstock and any other variation of nomenclature cars built in local garages and driven to the track on open trailers with a box of spare parts and a toolbox still put on a show worthy of the Sunday afternoon Spectacle.
In my book, Richie Evans is as worthy of the NASCAR Hall as Richard Petty. He ran more races against more drivers and won more championships. To those who say, “But he didn’t run in Cup”, I must respond: Why would he want to? The cars are slower. They don’t race as often. It’s the same 42 other guys every week. And the season is shorter.
Real racers race modifieds.
Fantastic job, Racer!
Chief18710:43 AM