Oval Office Interviews

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001 by Bob Margolis

Every week we'll bring you a different perspective from Winston Cup drivers by asking them a question, serious or not, posed by Bob Margolis, an associate producer and contributing editor for syndicated TV show, Motor Sports Weekly, and a regular contributor to THE SPORTING NEWS.

Who is the toughest driver you've competed against?

Jeff Gordon: On different days, it's different drivers. I'd definitely say that (Bale) Earnhardt, on a regular basis, is one of the toughest out there. But all those guys out there are tough. That's why they're in Winston Cup racing.

Dale Jarrett: Wow, that's a long list. I think that week in and week out, Dale Earnhardt has to be the most competitive person out there. But there's a lot of other guys out there who can be tough when they have a good car.

Johnny Benson: Obviously, Earnhardt is the guy you can say is the toughest. If you pass him, he's going to pass you right back. But if he passes you, you can try and pass him, but you won't be able to. But all in all, there's a lot of guys on the list.

Ward Burton: Tough driver?. There's a bunch of tough drivers. Now there's a bunch of dirty drivers too, but I won't mention their names. As for a tough driver, they're all tough.

Tony Stewart: I've raced against some really tough guys, especially in my open-wheel days. But the toughes? Kenny Irwin.

Steve Park: That's pretty easy: Bale Earnhardt--and not just because he's my boss. It's because he's the toughest to get past out there.

Terry Labonte: There's a lot of them who are tough. Earnhardt's got to be right up there at the top of the list.

Jerry Nadeau: They're all tough. Every one of those guys--Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett.... It's just a matter of playing the game right and hoping you come out on top every week.

Bobby Labonte: That's an easy one: Dale Earnhardt. Why do you think he's won all those championships? I know how tough it is.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: I know a lot of guys will say my dad, but for me, it's definitely Rusty Wallace.

A good off-track bet

Bob Margolis knows his racing. Heck, the guy's got his own TV show to prove it. As the star of Motor Sports Weekly, Margolis has the connections to give you insight like no other. For more Margolis material, drop by sportingnews.com/nascar. He's just as knowledgeable and funny online as he is on TV and in the magazine.