This time of year (Happy 2018 to everyone) we see a lot of lists - the best of this and that. While doing some research on the Can-Am series from the late 60's and early '70's I learned how many top drivers from Trans Am competed in this series too and how similar the results were. This got me thinking about who deserves to be on the list of the best of the best race car drivers across series and generations.
My hope is this will create some fun 'hot stove' conversations. There will never be a way to definitively say who's the best in any sport, especially when considering competitors from different eras. But, we can each honor the drivers we think deserve consideration by putting their names forward here.
I'll start with 3 drivers - Mark Donohue, Mario Andretti, and Jim Clark.
Donohue dominated Trans Am in the late 60's and early 70's, won the Indy 500 in 1972, and then dominated the Can-Am series before his untimely death in 1975 while testing an F1 car.
Andretti is the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship. This Italian born American race car driver is arguably the most recognized name in all motorsports.
Jim Clark was a British racing driver who won F1 championships in 1963 and 1965, and also won the Indy 500 in 1965. At the time of his death in 1968, he had won more Grand Prix races (25) and achieved more Grand Prix pole positions (33) than any other driver (Wikipedia).
Sadly, both Donohue and Clark died due to racing accidents that could have been avoided by common sense safety precautions. Thankfully, today's best drivers have a much better chance of living a full life.
Slothead