Champion Traits Story and photos by Dwight Drum
© 2005-7 Dwight Drum Web work by Larsen & Drum
Interviewers: Dwight Drum & Debbie Speicher
Champion Traits Quest
Two active seasons in top sanctions gathering nearly 150 answers from highly skilled motorsports racers to one champion-traits question has produced many thoughts and no simple solution.
The basis behind the single question is looking for a way to measure the complex human ingredients it takes to produce a top sanction champion. If found there would be a mad rush to buy the formula. As we know life and science works in other ways.
That knowledge didn't stop the question or the answers.
One question never needs asking. It takes a very brave person to have the fire to fly on a solid racetrack. The question asked results in many reasons in many minds. The only consolation to this dedicated quest is the more answers, the better.
ONE QUESTION
THE QUESTION: Do you think that champions have common traits and abilities? If so, what are they?
INDEX PAGE FOR 36 CHAMPIONS, 90 CONTENDERS, 8 OWNERS & 4 TEAM MEMBERS
NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar Champions
Richard Petty, Tony Stewart, Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, A.J. Foyt, Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, Kevin Harvick, John Force, Mike Skinner, Sam Hornish Jr., Dan Wheldon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., David Green, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, Todd Bodine, Ron Hornaday, Ted Musgrave, Joe Amato, Tony Schumacher, Gary Scelzi, Tony Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Andrew Hines, Angelle Sampey, Gino Scali Go There > 36 CHAMPIONS
NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, ARCA, Grand Am, USAC Top Contenders
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Ron Capps, Danica Patrick, Bobby Gerhart, Eddie Cheever, Gary St. Amant, Danny Lososki Go There > 8 Top Contenders
Owners & CEOS
Jack Roush, Chip Ganassi, Tom Compton, Bob Germain, Tony George, Michael Shank, Don Schumacher, George Bryce
Go There > 8 Owners & CEOSNASCAR Contenders Veterans
David Green(Champion), Todd Bodine(Champion), Ted Musgrave(Champion), Ron Hornaday (Champion), Greg Biffle (Champion), Kyle Petty, Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Waltrip, Boris Said, Ken Schrader Ward Burton, Scott Riggs, Ricky Rudd, David Gilliland, David Reutimann, Buzzie Reutimann, Dave Blaney, Jason Leffler, David Stremme, Marcus Ambrose, Max Papis, Michel Jourdain, Jr., Paul Tracy
Go There >> 5 champs, 17 contenders
NASCAR Contenders Youths
Brian Vickers, (Champion), Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, Clint Bowyer, Stephen Leicht, Aric Almirola, Steve Wallace, Regan Smith, Erik Darnell, Brad Coleman, Richard Jones, Patrick Carpentier, Brent Sherman, Timothy Peters, Danny O'Quinn Jr.
Go There > 1 Champ, 13 Contenders
NHRA POWERade Series Champions (Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock car, Pro Stock Motorcyle)
(Joe Amato, Tony Schumacher, Gary Scelzi, Tony Pedregon, Angelle Sampey, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Andrew Hines, Geno Scali) Go There > 8 ChampionsNHRA POWERade Series Contenders (Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock car, Pro Stock Motorcyle)
Clay Millican, Cory McClenathan, "Hot Rod" Fuller, Melanie Troxel,J.R. Todd, Steve Torrence, Eric Medlen (1973-2007), Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, Dave Connolly, Karen Stoffer, Steve Johnson, Chip Ellis, Matt Smith
Go There > 14 Contenders
IndyCar Series
Dan Weldon (Champion), Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick , A.J Foyt IV ,Ed Carpenter
Go There >> 1 champ, 4 contenders
ARCA RE/MAX Series
Bobby Gerhart, Andy Belmont, Josh Wise, Erin Crocker, Andy Hillenburg, Kevin Wood, Michelle Theriault, Don Radebaugh, Michael Faulk, Chad McCumbee Go There 10 Champs & Standouts
USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series
Bobby Gill, Shane Huffman, Clay Rogers, Benny Gordon, Joey Logano, Shelby Howard, Trevor Bayne, Derek Kale, Jody Lavender, Shane Wallace, Gabi DiCarlo, Dange Hanniford Go There 12 Champs and Standouts
Grand Am Rolex Series
Colin Braun, Hurley Haywood, Scott Pruett, Wayne Taylor, Andy Wallace, Oswaldo Negri, Mark Patterson, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty Go There 9 champs & StandoutsUSAC Sprint Cars
Tracy Hines, Paul McMahan, Levi Jones, Craig Dollansky, Tim Schaffer Go There 5 Champs & Standouts
Crew Chiefs and Crew
Bill Wilburn, Shane Wilson, Lance Munksgard, Scott Munksgard Go There 4 Crew Chiefs & Crew
Other Sports
Davis Love III Go There
Disclaimer: NASCAR® is a registered trademark owned and controlled by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. Nextel Cup and Sprint Cup are registered trademarks. The operators of this site are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NASCAR organization. The Official NASCAR® website is NASCAR ONLINE® at: www.nascar.com.