Career IRL Statistics

[JoeBob]

I've posted these (that I got from www.indyracing.com ) on a few threads, and seen them referred to on other threads, so I thought I'd start a new one. These should answer some of the questions around here. (Like, "Why doesn't driver X have a ride?)

Drivers with rides:
Buddy Lazier:
Races: 55
Poles: 2
Races led: 24
Wins: 8
Top 5: 23
Top 10: 32
% of races in top 10: 58.1

Eddie Cheever:
Races: 55
Poles: 0 (Best start:2)
Races led: 19
Wins: 5
Top 5: 16
Top 10: 28
% of races in top 10: 50.9

Scott Sharp:
Races: 51
Poles: 5
Races led: 22
Wins: 6
Top 5: 20
Top 10: 29
% of races in top 5: 56.8

Buzz Calkins:
Races: 53
Poles: 0 (Best start 3)
Races led: 3
Wins: 1
Top 5: 7
Top 10: 22
% of races in top 10: 41.5

Eliseo Salazar:
Races: 44
Poles: 0 (best start: 2nd)
Races led: 10
Wins: 1
Top 5: 12
Top 10: 23
% of races in top 10: 52.3

Billy Boat:
Races: 47
Poles: 8
Races led: 13
Wins: 1
Top 5: 12
Top 10: 26
% of races in top 10: 55.3

Sam Hornish, Jr:
Races: 21
Poles: 2
Races led: 12
Wins: 3
Top 5: 12
Top 10: 14
% of races in top 10: 66.7

Robby Buhl:
Races: 46
Poles: 0 (best start: 2)
Races led: 15
Wins: 2
Top 5: 11
Top 10: 23
% of races in top 10: 50

Drivers without rides: (if rumors are true)
Sarah Fisher
Races: 22
Poles: 0 (best start: 2)
Races led: 1
Wins: 0 (best finish: 2)
Top 5: 2
Top 10: 3
% of races in top 10: 13.6

Greg Ray:
Races: 44
Poles: 14
Races led: 21
Wins: 5
Top 5: 8
Top 10: 12
% of races in top 10: 27.2

Mark Dismore:
Races: 52
Ples: 4
Races led: 20
Wins: 1
Top 5: 7
Top 10: 16
% of races in top 10: 30.7

Looking at results, I really wonder why there is so much noise about Ray, Dismore and Fisher being out of work.

[aXe]

what you want to blame car failure on them or what?
aXe

[Lucky161]

Joe Bob, it makes me wonder how drivers like Lloyd Ruby, Herk and Jimmy McElreath were ever able to secure rides. Everyone can't be AJ or Mario.
I have also done some research and discovered that in every race ever run, someone finished last.
I don't have a problem with your stats. In fact I think they are interesting. I just don't believe they support your premise that Ray, Dismore or even Sarah don't deserve rides.

[JoeBob]

Lucky,

I'm not saying that they don't deserve rides. There are certainly lesser drivers out there who have rides. The big difference is that the lesser drivers bring money with them.

If you're wondering why they have to bring money to a team in order to get hired, just take a look at finishing results.

aXe,
Here's a summary of each rideless driver's status in races where he or she didn't finish in the top 10:

Fisher:
Top 10 finishes: 3 (13.6% of starts)
Accident: 7 (31.8% of starts)
Running (outside top 10): 7 (31.8% of starts)
Electrical: 1 (4.5% of starts)
Gearbox: 1 (4.5% of starts)
Handling: 1 (4.5% of starts)
Engine: 1 (4.5% of starts)
Timing Chain: 1 (4.5% of starts)
(Total Mechanical: 5 (22.7% of starts)

Ray:
Top 10 finishes: 12 (27.2% of starts)
Accident: 13 (29.5% of starts)
Running (outside of top 10): 5 (11.3% of starts)
Engine: 5 (11.3% of starts)
Gearbox/Transmission: 3 (6.8% of starts)
Handling: 2 (4.5% of starts)
Electrical: 2 (4.5% of starts)
Did Not Start: 1 (2.2% of starts)
Water Pump: 1 (2.2% of starts)
(Total mechanical: 13 (29.5% of starts))

Dismore:
Top 10 finishes: 16 (30.7% of starts)
Running: 14 (26.9% of starts)
Accident: 11 (21.1% of starts)
Engine: 7 (13.5% of starts)
Fuel Pressure: 1 (1.9% of starts)
Oil Cooler: 1 (1.9% of starts)
Suspension: 1 (1.9% of starts)
Clutch: 1 (1.9% of starts)
(Total mechanical: 11 21.1% of starts)

Is car failure the primary problem they seem to have? Interestingly enough, each of them has an accident just as often as the car fails them.

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: JoeBob ]

[NDGator]

Joe Bob,

Please edit the Scott Sharp stat to Top 10 instead of Top 5.

Also
Please adjust your last post:
....Sts=Acc+Run+Mech
Ray 44=13+17+14
Fisher 22=7+10+5
Dis 52=11+30+11

Seems a little unfair to leave out their Top 10s.

[JoeBob]

Their top 10s are all in the first group of stats. aXe claimed that their lack of success was due to "car failure." The purpose of my 2nd post was to show what their status was in their "unsuccessful races."

But, just so people don't get the wrong idea, I'll put them in.

[Fueler]

Scott Sharp:
Races: 51
Poles: 5
Races led: 22
Wins: 6
Top 5: 20
Top 10: 29
% of races in top 5: 56.8

Looking at results, I really wonder why there is so much noise about Ray, Dismore and Fisher being out of work.

Very interesting. As an aside, based solely on those stats, I wonder why Sharpie takes so much abuse around here.... he's fifth in races started, second in wins, second in races led, and second in top ten percentages. All desirable attributes, and remarkably consistent.

Granted, the start of the last 500 wasn't his brightest moment, but I can't think of any driver that's competitive that doesn't have one of those occasionally (granted, not with that much visibility).

If you factor in the negative comments here about the quality of the Kelley preparation (with which I don't necessarily agree), it makes it even harder to understand the negatives he accrues from people on this board.


[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Fueler ]

[JoeBob]

I was surprised by Scott's stats too.

[StatMan]

I really wonder why there is so much noise about Ray, Dismore and Fisher being out of work.

Well, Greg Ray does just happen to be a former IRL Season Championship Winner.

-StatMan

[mnkywrch]

Originally posted by Fueler:
<STRONG>

Very interesting. As an aside, based solely on those stats, I wonder why Sharpie takes so much abuse around here.... he's fifth in races started, second in wins, second in races led, and second in top ten percentages. All desirable attributes, and remarkably consistent.

Granted, the start of the last 500 wasn't his brightest moment, but I can't think of any driver that's competitive that doesn't have one of those occasionally (granted, not with that much visibility).

If you factor in the negative comments here about the quality of the Kelley preparation (with which I don't necessarily agree), it makes it even harder to understand the negatives he accrues from people on this board.

</STRONG>

Perhaps it's because he hasn't won an IRL championship since the "season" (if you want to call it that) of 1996-1997.

Maybe it's the team, maybe it's the drivers, but for some reason, Kelley can't seem to put it together for an entire season.