Where is ... Dale Inman?

They are scores that are impossible to settle.

Who's the better driver, Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt? Or Jeff Gordon? Or David Pearson? Or Junior Johnson? Cale Yarborough, maybe? Bobby Allison? Darrell Waltrip?

What about crew chiefs? If the matter is to be settled on statistics and statistics alone, Dale Inman is the greatest crew chief of all time, hands-down. Early last year, though, a "national motorsports media contingent" named Ray Evernham to just such an honor in conjunction with the announcement of an awards program for crew chiefs. Inman finished a close second in the poll and actually received more first-place votes.

Evernham was Gordon's crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports for more than six years, a stretch that saw them win three Cup championships and 47 races. Inman was Richard Petty's crew chief for three decades, give or take a few years. Together, they won nearly 200 races and six championships. Following his departure from Petty Enterprises days after winning the 1981 Daytona 500, Inman would go on to capture another title and several more wins with Terry Labonte.

For those keeping score at home, Inman's win total is more than quadruple that of Evernham's, and he has more than twice the number of championships. Inman helped define what it meant to be a crew chief.

At the height of Petty Enterprises' success, however, Inman managed a stable of just two or three cars. Evernham began to redefine the role of a crew chief, and oversaw a fleet of cars specially made for restrictor-plate tracks, flat tracks, short tracks and road courses.

So does Inman or Evernham have the upper hand? It's an argument that has no adequate resolution. Their primes came in different eras, and it's fairly useless -- fun as it is -- to compare the two.

Don't expect Inman to get in on the debate himself, at least not where he's concerned.

"I'm not even sure I should be ranked," Inman said. "I think I was second [in the poll], and I'm honored at that. The best answer for [what makes a good crew chief] is a good racecar driver and a good car. If you've got the driver and don't win, then it's your fault."

For the record, Inman says Leonard Wood was the best pit boss he ever saw. Waddell Wilson was good, too.

"Leonard was just outstanding. He could do it all," Inman said. "There was no question about it."

Inman retired from the sport at the end of the 1998 season. During his time away from racing, Inman was one of many who worked tirelessly to get the Victory Junction Gang Camp up and running. (Continued)