"WIZARD" 2013 Final Driver Rankings Announced

"WIZARD" 2013 Final Driver Rankings Announced
(February 4, 2014) The "WIZARD" announced today the rankings of super late model drivers for 2013. You can view the “WIZARD’S” magical rankings for the top 30 drivers by clicking on http://www.johnblankenship23.com/wizard_rankings_2.html. The 2013 rankings were compiled using the best available information from various sources. In some cases full driver statistics may not have been available but nonetheless the rankings provide a good idea of how late model drivers stacked up against one another last year. It should also be noted that the Wizard does not include all races in his rankings as some races are disqualified if the race did not attract a competitive field of drivers.

As noted earlier, the “WIZARD’S” rankings will be available on this site at the end of each month and at special times during the 2014 season. The annual rankings will reflect the results of races between February 1st and November 30th. In other words, January and December races will not be included in the 2014 rankings.

Several observations that might warrant comment are:

1). Josh Richards was dominating in 2013 as clearly the number one driver in the country

2). Darrell Lanigan was the only driver to beat Richards 50% of the time in head to head racing.

3). Rick Eckert was very strong and would have ranked even higher were it not for the Wizard having taken points away from Rick for not racing either of the two most competitive races ie the Dream and the World.

4) John Blankenship was surprised that he had beaten Owens more than Owens had beaten him head to head.

5). Chris Madden was the strongest non top 10 driver head to head against the Top 10 but his weak schedule prevented him from ranking in the top 10 himself. Chris showed that he can beat the best at tracks in his region.

6). Despite what many say was an off year for Scott Bloomquist he ranked 10th.

7). Jimmy Mars ranked outside the Top 30 as he raced the toughest schedule in the nation in 2013 but failed to win a race. He finished in the top 5 just six times. Review the Western race January rankings at this site to see that he is off to a much better start this year.

8). Steve Francis would have ranked higher had he not closed out the year so weak at Charlotte finishing a high of 20th in the two Charlotte races.

9) Tim McCreadie and Don O'Neal had great seasons against extraordinary competition and in Don's case despite the injury he suffered.

10). Iron Man Dennis Erb and on foot car chaser Brian Birkofer convinced the Wizard that they are better than the pollsters think.

11) At 15th Bobby Pierce proved that he will be a force to be dealt with in 2014 and for years to come.

12). Brandon Sheppard had a slow start in 2013 with lots of early season DNS's that hurt his ranking but he grew very strong as the season progressed.

13). Shane Clanton showed he was clearly among the Top 5 drivers in 2013.

14). Billy Moyer Sr. just missed the top 10 and would likely have made it except for the head knocker at Charlotte.

15). Randy Weaver and Brady Smith would have made the top 30 except that the Wizard disqualified them based on an inadequate number of competitive races.

16). Terry Philips and Earl Pearson are much stronger than many fans recognize.

17). Every driver in the top 30 can win at any time. Drivers like Dale McDowell use their experience and those like Tony Jackson their youthful enthusiasm to excite fans everywhere they race.

18). Being in or out of this top 30 ranking has no value when the next race is lined up. Drivers not on the top 30 list like Jimmy Mars, Mike Marlar, Morgan Bagley, Chub Frank, Clint Smith, Vic Coffey, Jackie Boggs, all the Conleys, Ryan Gustin, Ray Cook, Billy Moyer Jr., Vic Coffey, Vic Hill, Billy Ogle, and a hundred more can humble all of the top 30 at any time. In fact, the Wizard expects some of these to be in the Top 30 in 2014 as well as someone the Wizard and perhaps many of the fans have never heard of.

It's time to go racing. As the teams leave for Georgia and Florida the Wizard reminds them that Dorothy said "there is no place like home," so be careful and Best of Luck.

View the final 2013 rankings by clicking here: http://www.johnblankenship23.com/wizard_rankings_2.html