I can't figure it out.

[Claws]

I have always wondered what criteria is used to say someone is the best driver. I am curious to know what JJ has or has not done for someone to say he is not the best driver.

For starters 4 consecutive Cups is history. Never had been done before. 49 wins in 8 seasons (and counting) is amazing as well. Only Gordon won more quicker. 289 starts for Jimmie and 230+ for Gordon.

But while people knock JJ on his personality, they can't argue he's good.

He's paid to drive cars and win.

I'm pretty sure he's succeeded there.

[Goosfraba21]

I think in nascar these days being smart and knowing what adjustments your car needs is much more important. Years ago drivers would "drive" their cars to victory. Now they adjust and stratagize for wins. JJ and his team are the best at adjusting and tweeking the car so it performs. As a fan of racing in general I respect what he does and that is win. Would it bother me if smoke won four in a row? hell no!

[Johnny Rockets]

I think in nascar these days being smart and knowing what adjustments your car needs is much more important. Years ago drivers would "drive" their cars to victory. Now they adjust and stratagize for wins. JJ and his team are the best at adjusting and tweeking the car so it performs. As a fan of racing in general I respect what he does and that is win. Would it bother me if smoke won four in a row? hell no!

But what is about JJ that gives you the opinion that he isn't the best driver in NASCAR? I hear people say that a lot and never understood what he does or doesn't do that points to that conclusion? I am not a JJ fan and just a moderate NASCAR fan so I am trying to get a NASCAR education of sorts.

And if JJ isn't the best driver in NASCAR then who is and why?

[Scrumtrilescent]

Best and most successful may be two different things.

[Johnny Rockets]

Best and most successful may be two different things.

Prove it.

[Mayor Qumiby]

It's also because there are alota people in NASCAR that pull for the underdog or pull for some random rookie because they wanna be fans before the guy gets famous... Being a band wagon fan is lame in NASCAR. Where as in football, baseball or basketball it's common place (although just as lame)

[Claws]

It's also because there are alota people in NASCAR that pull for the underdog or pull for some random rookie because they wanna be fans before the guy gets famous...

Big hearty Bingo!

These clowns change out the closet every year waiting on the next Gordon or Johnson.

[Goosfraba21]

I think there are only a few drivers in nascar today that I would consider great drivers. To me when I think of great drivers Earnhardt is the name that comes to mind. He would put his car in places no one else could and make the passes. To me the skill of actually driving the cars has greatly diminished over the years. Its just the way the sport has evolved. It is more of a team sport. In the past drivers would win races on pure skill and wheelin the car around the track. Now its about the fastest car and the best timed pit stop. Im just saying that driving abilities play less of a roll in a win then they used to.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Prove it.

No.

[Mayor Qumiby]

JJ is deff the best driver in this era.... I'm not a fan of his but the truth can't be denied either

[outlaw4]

difference is Tiger makes Golf exciting, because of big shots and then him coming from behind to win. Also, on the golf course anything can happen. I think it is boring if Tiger goes into Sunday with a 5 stroke lead, and by the time the last two tee off he is still in the lead.....You just kind of watch in awe or hoping he shoots the worst round of golf ever.

There's nothing very exciting about one person/team dominating the sport. I, as a fan, love to see competition but seeing the same results every single year kills it for me.

Racing is a little different, nobody likes to watch follow the leader....If a driver has a fast racecar it doesn't matter who wins it the race is generally boring unless their engine blows, or cut tire into the wall. Yesterday probably was one of the worst Las Vegas races to date, because Gordon dominated all but 30 laps and then Johnson dominated the rest.

I've been at LVMS 3 out of the last 4 years for the Cup race and this was easily the WORST race I saw to date. I got used to seeing many different leaders, lots of side-by-side racing, and cars going sideways off of Turn 4 but that all disappeared yesterday.

In comparison, after the race, they have Legends cars running around the front stretch oval for those that prefer to stay instead of fighting traffic. Those little kids put a really good show out there compared to the Cup guys.

[Claws]

I'd say JJ is the best of this era. Every era has someone.

Before JJ it was Gordon....then it Dale Sr......then it was DW....and etc etc etc.

Difference is JJ is doing things they've never done.

That should account for something guys....poo

[outlaw4]

I'd say JJ is the best of this era. Every era has someone.

Before JJ it was Gordon....then it Dale Sr......then it was DW....and etc etc etc.

Difference is JJ is doing things they've never done.

That should account for something guys....poo

What are you crying about? If anything, having a contingent of fans that don't like him simply because he dominates the sport means he has made it to the top. What dominating figure isn't going to have that kind of problem?

[Tweeder]

well expect of more domination with a win before Atlanta Jimmie Johnson has never finished any worse than 6th place

3 - wins at Atlanta after winning previous race

4 - 2nd place finishes after winning previous race

7.7 - Average finishing spot for JJ since his debut in Sprint Cup

3 - Times JJ has finished outside of the top 10 with finishes from 16,22,and 32