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Darrell Waltrip vs Jimmie Johnson: NASCAR’s 64 Greatest Drivers Sweet 16

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by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

April 19, 2009 11:50 am EDT 11 Comments

This is one of the toughest Sweet 16 stand-offs in the NASCAR 64 Greatest Drivers Tournament at Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie. Coming out of the One and Done region, two, three-time Cup series champions go head to head. One as brash and bold as anyone in sports; the other often seems to be forgotten - at least until the checkered flag flies.

Darrell Waltrip is a three-time Winston Cup Series champion - ‘81, ‘82 and ‘85. In the 61 races run during ‘81 and ‘82, he won 24 times. Waltrip finished with 84 Cup victories ( tied for 3rd all-time) in 809 starts and qualified on the pole 59 times. And he made boogity, boogity, boogity famous. Or infamous.

 

Jimmie Johnson has 41 wins, 102 top fives and 158 top tens in his first 261 Sprint Cup Series races. He’s won three consecutive championships - tying Cale Yarborough for that record - was points runner-up in ‘03 and ‘04, won the ‘06 Daytona 500 and three straight Coca Cola 600s from ‘03-’05. And he’s handsome, polite and has a pretty wife. Hate the guy if you want.

J J had to get by NASCAR legend Red Byron in his opening rounder and two-time champ Buck Baker in the second. D W got two present day stars, starting with Kyle Busch and then former Cup champ Matt Kenseth.  Two drivers who seem to be hated because they’re so good. I’m glad I get to vote last. Let us know who you like in the comment section.

Filed under: Darrell Waltrip, Daytona 500, Jimmy Johnson, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, NASCAR 64 Greatest Driver Tourney, Nascar Legends, The Waltrips 

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Comments

11 Responses to “Darrell Waltrip vs Jimmie Johnson: NASCAR’s 64 Greatest Drivers Sweet 16”

  1. Don Good on April 19th, 2009 6:45 pm

    DW. Admittedly I’m going more with my heart than with my head - in spite of Boogity Boogity Boogity. I recall an interview when Kyle Petty was asked his impression of Waltirp. Petty replied, “Great driver.” When the interviewer asked Kyle about DW as a broadcaster Petty replied, “Great driver.” NASCAR fans sometimes have short memories. Yeah, Jimmy’s on a remarkable hot streak, but DW was indeed a “great driver.”

  2. User Avatar Matt Mercer on April 19th, 2009 10:17 pm

    DW.

  3. Keith on April 19th, 2009 10:46 pm

    DW. Earned his titles the hard way. Had to be good for more than 10 races to win his cups. JJ will never be considered a great because of this sorry chase format. And that’s not fair to him but it is what it is. Still can’t believe how they destroyed Nascar.

  4. Buddy Clay on April 20th, 2009 4:17 pm

    Not a fan, but JJ will rewrite the record book. He gets my vote, even if Chad deserves a big part of it.

  5. User Avatar Steve Wronkowicz on April 20th, 2009 6:04 pm

    I wrote about all the things I dislike about DW in the last round. I still am not a fan, but I am a bigger fan of his than of JJ.

    Despite the Waltrip brothers pitchman complex; I’ll go with DW.

  6. User Avatar Charlie Turner on April 21st, 2009 9:19 am

    Waltrip is the choice by Chad Orton

    via twitter

  7. Spaceman on April 21st, 2009 12:01 pm

    JJ over DW

  8. User Avatar Steve Wronkowicz on April 22nd, 2009 7:29 am

    Bootie Barker on last night’s ON PIT ROW took JJ and said that JJ was “underrated”. If he’s underrated after what he has accomplished so far; look out King.

  9. Stop Jeff Gordon Or Not: Last Day to Vote in the Sweet 16 Greatest NASCAR Drivers | Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie on April 22nd, 2009 7:24 pm

    [...] Darrell Waltrip vs Jimmie Johnson: NASCAR’s 64 Greatest Drivers Sweet 16 [...]

  10. User Avatar Charlie Turner on April 22nd, 2009 10:17 pm

    ON PIT ROW producer - Ty - liked J J when we put him on the spot.

  11. User Avatar Charlie Turner on April 23rd, 2009 9:47 am

    It looks to me like Johnson may be the one to re-write some records. But het hasn’t surpassed Jaws just yet. DW.

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