On the other hand Arie Luyendyk never once finished in top 5 in points in his indy car career, he never challenged for a title and won only 7 races in all. But lets face it he was one of the best at the speedway, winner of the fastest indy, track record holder, 3 times pole winner and 2 time winner and he coud have won on several other occassions, 91,92,93,96 and 99 some to mind.

But Im not sure how people are going to vote, whether they choose drivers who had overall successful careers or base it soley upon a drivers Indy record.

So, for example, I won’t care of Paul Tracy’s second best result at the Indy 500 was 9th – he was champion once (Champ Car 2003) and third three times in the 1990s and will be in.

I god damn love A.J. Foyt and he is arguably the best racing driving ever but I dont quite think he is the best at Indy.

I also can’t remember Mears NOT being competitive: It seemed he was either out of the race or hanging around the front (once he had “chased” the car.) Some of that is attributable to Penske equipment, but who else in the Penske stable had that much success?

You’re also correct that after the front row or two, it gets pretty tricky. Bill Vukovich is a classic example. Although he “only” had two wins, he pretty much had the field covered in three races in a row before his fatal accident. He’s got to be toward the front of the field for that alone.