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IndyCar
MILLER: The Greatest 33?
Graham Hill and Ray Harroun? Put down your iWhatever, nestle up to your screen and take some notes: here’s the real 33 best and in order:
Miller found 1953 Indy 500 winner Bill Vukovich's rank of ninth on the 'Greatest 33' list rather insulting. (IMS Photo)
Graham Hill and Ray Harroun? Seriously?
Danny Sullivan, Scott Dixon and Mark Donohue instead of Bill Holland?
Really?
Juan Montoya? Who did he beat?
Bill Vukovich ranked 9th and Parnelli Jones 14th?
Are you people on drugs?
Those were my first reactions upon reading the “Greatest 33” list complied by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to celebrate its 100th birthday. Fans, media and participants (past and present) voted for the 33 best drivers in IMS history but I truly wonder if they understood the process.
They supposedly voted on the BEST 33 of all-time -- not the prettiest or funniest or most spectacular and not the guy who excelled in all forms of motorsports. It should be similar to any Hall of Fame which judges your body of work.
My criteria consisted of which drivers, May in and May out, qualified up front, led laps and contended for wins.
I’m not saying “the chosen 33” weren’t all damn good racers, of course they were, but this was about ONE race, nothing more.
That’s why some of the selections were ludicrous.
Besides giving the most humorous victory dinner speech ever, Hill also captured three Formula One crowns but his lone Indy win in 1966 remains one of the most questioned on record.
Many feel Jimmy Clark got hosed by USAC scoring and robbed of a second victory while others say Gordon Johncock really deserved the W.
And, yeah, Ray Harroun was credited with the first W but it’s disputed by several historians as well. And who said being the first to win something qualifies someone as being one of the greatest, anyways?
Sullivan’s spin-and-win in ’85 is one for the highlight reels forever, Donohue started Roger Penske’s reign in ’72 and Dixon delivered in 2008 but none of that trio was as formidable as Ted Horn or Jimmy Murphy.
Obviously, it’s difficult for us 60-somethings to judge those brave men from 1911-51, just as is for today’s youth to realize that Lloyd Ruby and Mike Mosley were bad asses.
But that’s why we have history books, statistics and records and it’s too bad more of the voters didn’t consult them.
Of course there are several automatics and it’s good for bench racing on the last few rows but it’s insulting to see Vuky and Parnelli get such a lack of respect.
Short of enrolling in Donald Davidson’s classes on Indy at IUPUI, there’s not much hope for a lot of you voters but I’ll give you a little reality check right here so put down your iWhatever, nestle up to your screen and take some notes: here’s the real 33 best and in order:
1. A.J. Foyt – Won in roadsters, rear-engines and big horse-powered rockets. He was The King before Petty.
2. Bill Vukovich – Should have won four in a row, led 485 laps in four races and nobody did it better at Indy.
3. Parnelli Jones – Called the best ever by A.J. Watson, ‘ol Rufus could have easily been a 4-time winner with a little luck.
4. Al Unser – Nobody was smarter behind the wheel and his 644 laps led will never be topped.
5. Rick Mears – Always saved his best for last and turned Indianapolis into his personal showcase.
6. Ralph DePalma – Nobody got less (one win) out of more domination (612 laps led).
7. Mario Andretti – Led one more lap (556 to 555) than Foyt but his record belied his brilliance.
8. Wilbur Shaw – Three victories, three runner-ups, 508 laps led in 13 starts.
9. Bobby Unser – Three wins, one second, two thirds and 440 laps led. As clever as he was quick.
10. Mauri Rose – Three firsts, a second and a pair of thirds with 256 laps led for this tiny terror.
11. Louis Meyer – The first 3-time winner, he stormed from 28th to first in 1936.
12. Johnny Rutherford – Mastered the high line at IMS, Lone Star J.R. scored three wins and led 297 laps.
13. Gordon Johncock – Nobody drove harder and his two wins underscore his luck and the fact he led 339 laps.
14. Emerson Fittipaldi – Conquered ovals after F1 stardom with two wins led 505 laps.
15. Billy Arnold – Led 410 laps in three races but only came away with one victory.
16. Rodger Ward – Racked up two wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth while leading 261 laps.
17. Tommy Milton – A pair of wins, a third and 218 laps led.
18. Al Unser Jr. – Savvy like his dad, won twice and scored five other Tops 5s.
19. Michael Andretti – He did everything but win as his 430 laps led would indicate.
20. Bill Holland – In four consecutive Indy 500s, he finished 2-2-1-2 and led 297 laps.
21. Helio Castroneves – A three-time winner with an asterisk, his quality of competition drops his ranking.
22. Jimmy Murphy – A first, two thirds and a fourth in five starts.
23. Jim Clark – Started a revolution with his ’65 win and earned big respect in the process. Led 298 laps in five starts.
24. Arie Luyendyk – Had one win against the varsity and another against the JVees, plus a second and a third.
25. Tom Sneva – The Gas Man had a trio of seconds before finally pulling into Victory Lane in 1983.
26. Dario Franchitti – Smooth and smart like his hero, JC, the Scotsman has two wins and is looking for No. 3.
27. Rex Mays – Led 266 laps and was twice a bridesmaid.
28. Ted Horn – Indy’s greatest money driver reeled off consecutive finishes of 2-3-4-4-4-3-3-3-4.
29. Frank Lockhart – In only two starts, scored a win and led 205 laps.
30. Jimmy Bryan – Had a first-second-third and led 216 laps.
31. Lloyd Ruby – Always fast, always cursed and one of the best to never win.
32. Mike Mosley – Gary Bettenhausen once said if Mosley had a McLaren in the early ‘70s, everyone would have been running for second place.
33. Jack McGrath – Had the misfortune of running at the same time as Vuky or he’d probably be on the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
Danny Sullivan, Scott Dixon and Mark Donohue instead of Bill Holland?
Really?
Juan Montoya? Who did he beat?
Bill Vukovich ranked 9th and Parnelli Jones 14th?
Are you people on drugs?
Those were my first reactions upon reading the “Greatest 33” list complied by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to celebrate its 100th birthday. Fans, media and participants (past and present) voted for the 33 best drivers in IMS history but I truly wonder if they understood the process.
They supposedly voted on the BEST 33 of all-time -- not the prettiest or funniest or most spectacular and not the guy who excelled in all forms of motorsports. It should be similar to any Hall of Fame which judges your body of work.
My criteria consisted of which drivers, May in and May out, qualified up front, led laps and contended for wins.
I’m not saying “the chosen 33” weren’t all damn good racers, of course they were, but this was about ONE race, nothing more.
That’s why some of the selections were ludicrous.
Besides giving the most humorous victory dinner speech ever, Hill also captured three Formula One crowns but his lone Indy win in 1966 remains one of the most questioned on record.
Many feel Jimmy Clark got hosed by USAC scoring and robbed of a second victory while others say Gordon Johncock really deserved the W.
And, yeah, Ray Harroun was credited with the first W but it’s disputed by several historians as well. And who said being the first to win something qualifies someone as being one of the greatest, anyways?
Sullivan’s spin-and-win in ’85 is one for the highlight reels forever, Donohue started Roger Penske’s reign in ’72 and Dixon delivered in 2008 but none of that trio was as formidable as Ted Horn or Jimmy Murphy.
Obviously, it’s difficult for us 60-somethings to judge those brave men from 1911-51, just as is for today’s youth to realize that Lloyd Ruby and Mike Mosley were bad asses.
But that’s why we have history books, statistics and records and it’s too bad more of the voters didn’t consult them.
Of course there are several automatics and it’s good for bench racing on the last few rows but it’s insulting to see Vuky and Parnelli get such a lack of respect.
Short of enrolling in Donald Davidson’s classes on Indy at IUPUI, there’s not much hope for a lot of you voters but I’ll give you a little reality check right here so put down your iWhatever, nestle up to your screen and take some notes: here’s the real 33 best and in order:
1. A.J. Foyt – Won in roadsters, rear-engines and big horse-powered rockets. He was The King before Petty.
2. Bill Vukovich – Should have won four in a row, led 485 laps in four races and nobody did it better at Indy.
3. Parnelli Jones – Called the best ever by A.J. Watson, ‘ol Rufus could have easily been a 4-time winner with a little luck.
4. Al Unser – Nobody was smarter behind the wheel and his 644 laps led will never be topped.
5. Rick Mears – Always saved his best for last and turned Indianapolis into his personal showcase.
6. Ralph DePalma – Nobody got less (one win) out of more domination (612 laps led).
7. Mario Andretti – Led one more lap (556 to 555) than Foyt but his record belied his brilliance.
8. Wilbur Shaw – Three victories, three runner-ups, 508 laps led in 13 starts.
9. Bobby Unser – Three wins, one second, two thirds and 440 laps led. As clever as he was quick.
10. Mauri Rose – Three firsts, a second and a pair of thirds with 256 laps led for this tiny terror.
11. Louis Meyer – The first 3-time winner, he stormed from 28th to first in 1936.
12. Johnny Rutherford – Mastered the high line at IMS, Lone Star J.R. scored three wins and led 297 laps.
13. Gordon Johncock – Nobody drove harder and his two wins underscore his luck and the fact he led 339 laps.
14. Emerson Fittipaldi – Conquered ovals after F1 stardom with two wins led 505 laps.
15. Billy Arnold – Led 410 laps in three races but only came away with one victory.
16. Rodger Ward – Racked up two wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth while leading 261 laps.
17. Tommy Milton – A pair of wins, a third and 218 laps led.
18. Al Unser Jr. – Savvy like his dad, won twice and scored five other Tops 5s.
19. Michael Andretti – He did everything but win as his 430 laps led would indicate.
20. Bill Holland – In four consecutive Indy 500s, he finished 2-2-1-2 and led 297 laps.
21. Helio Castroneves – A three-time winner with an asterisk, his quality of competition drops his ranking.
22. Jimmy Murphy – A first, two thirds and a fourth in five starts.
23. Jim Clark – Started a revolution with his ’65 win and earned big respect in the process. Led 298 laps in five starts.
24. Arie Luyendyk – Had one win against the varsity and another against the JVees, plus a second and a third.
25. Tom Sneva – The Gas Man had a trio of seconds before finally pulling into Victory Lane in 1983.
26. Dario Franchitti – Smooth and smart like his hero, JC, the Scotsman has two wins and is looking for No. 3.
27. Rex Mays – Led 266 laps and was twice a bridesmaid.
28. Ted Horn – Indy’s greatest money driver reeled off consecutive finishes of 2-3-4-4-4-3-3-3-4.
29. Frank Lockhart – In only two starts, scored a win and led 205 laps.
30. Jimmy Bryan – Had a first-second-third and led 216 laps.
31. Lloyd Ruby – Always fast, always cursed and one of the best to never win.
32. Mike Mosley – Gary Bettenhausen once said if Mosley had a McLaren in the early ‘70s, everyone would have been running for second place.
33. Jack McGrath – Had the misfortune of running at the same time as Vuky or he’d probably be on the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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