Who was better Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt?

Question

Who was better Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt?

Answer 1

Better at what?

Tiddlywinks?????

Just look at the numbers.

That is "nuff said.

Answer 2

Petty in career wins, and starts.

Earnhardt for his amazing career and legacy.

Answer 3

Earnhardt, hands down.

Petty had 200 wins sure, but he raced in an era where there were sometimes 2-3 races per week, and he had little true competition for many of those years because he had more money to work with.

Ned Jarrett said Earnhardt is the best he's ever seen, and that says a lot from a man who's been there and seen it all.

Answer 4

Earnhardt by far he was racing way detter compitition

Answer 5

That is the age old question.  The biggest difference from when Petty drove most of his career is that they ran more than 1 race in a week.  Most of Dales career was 1 race per week.

Both great drivers.

Answer 6

Junior Johnson!!!!

Answer 7

As much as I want to say Dale Earnhardt since I like him more, you can't argue with 200 wins as opposed to 75.

Answer 8

If you go by stats, Petty.  If you go by pure driving ability and getting the most from a car, Earnhardt.  But neither could hold a candle to David Pearson or Cale Yarborough.  They might not have the stats but  they could wheel a race car like no one has.

Answer 9

It is hard to compare different era's in any sport.  Petty drove during a time when there were 2-3 races per week, which helped him get to the monster number of wins. He also drove on less tried and tested equipment.

Dale drove in an era of 1 race per week so his opportunity to reach a similar number of wins was hampered by the limited number of races he could enter, he also raced against deeper fields of talent, and the other teams had deeper financial pockets then teams in Petty's era.

they both were/are great ambassadors of the sport, bringing many new fans to this sport over their careers.

so to say one is better then the other is tough. If they were both had the same experience in the same equipment I would lean towards Richard Petty, but would never bet my house against Dale Sr.

Answer 10

Richard Petty by far.Something some seem to neither know or have forgotten is that Petty drove 4000 plus lb cars on crappy old bias ply tires in excess of 200 mph in a time when there were limited rules.Rules when they were changed were to mostly assist Gm who couldn't win races with bigger cubic inches and lighter cars.Petty drove in a way to preserve motors and finish races.Earnhardt on the other hand used nascar's rules of favoring Gm to his advantage and drove in a reckless way.Someone who was only the seventh winningest driver doesn't deserve and shouldn't even be compared to someone with the skill of a Petty,Pearson or a Yarborough.

Answer 11

You know this is a very hard question for the simple fact that they are both great drivers and legends at the same level.  I do believe that Richard Petty is better because of his championships and wins.  But I will always love Earnhardt because he stayed true to himself and never backed down.

Answer 12

Petty in career wins but Earnhardt for getting the most out of his equipment. The bottom line is that they raced in different eras. So, you're really comparing apples to oranges and there really isn't a right answer.

Answer 13

Both were great too bad their kids can't race!