The Best or Not?

After watching the Texas NASCAR Cup race last Saturday night, a few questions came to my mind. 

I have always said that in the current era of NASCAR (the 2,000s), the greatest natural driving talents are without a doubt, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch.  They both have however, traveled this road collecting no small amount of baggage.  Both have spent some time in anger management.  Stewart has been here longer and is without question more successful than Busch.  Three championships and his fair share of wins. There is a question that needs to be asked about both of these guys.

When things are not going well for these guys are they quitters?

Almost every driver in Cup is capable of winning. Every driver no matter how great they are is going to have some bad days.  Wrecks and car failures will happen to all of them and there will be days where the car will just not be fast and they will have to settle for a 20th place at the back of the lead lap finish.  When Stewart or Busch have cars that just aren't fast, they and this is even more a rap on Stewart, fall off the map.  For the incredible success they have had, when the car won't work they (especially Stewart) for at doing the best they can, for maybe half the race, until they slip into oblivion.  The best (not the most talented) racer of the 2,000s in NASCAR, Jimmy Johnson never ever gives up. I have never seen him drive a race where he does not compete for everything he can get until they throw the checkered flag.  I have never seen a racing superstar who finishes laps down not because of mechanical failure and wrecks, but just because the car is a bit loose or tight, than Tony Stewart.  Kyle Busch is not far behind. Does the personality flaws we have seen over and over in Stewart and Busch make them quitters? 

I don't know the answer but it is a question worth asking.

Congratulations to Gregg Biffle on his victory and also another great performance by the 53 year old part time driver Mark Martin.  In 36 years of watching Mark drive, whether he finishes 1st or 43rd he never quits.