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Random Power Rankings: Raw talent, according to Internet commenters
By Steve Luvender | Published: January 16, 2020 21
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If you’re online in racing circles for more than a day, you’ll hear the term “raw talent” emerge — and frequently — in the context of driver ability. It seems raw talent is a sort of intangible skill possessed by only some racers, whose definition can’t be defined or quantified. Until now, I think.
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In my pursuit of knowledge, I naturally turned to Twitter to answer the age-old question: what is raw talent? Surely, the millions of opinion-havers could set the record straight, right?
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Still searching for answers, I decided I’d seek out a definitive list of NASCAR drivers with the most raw talent. So, again I turned to Internet commenters: this time, to the comments of Racing-Reference driver pages. I knew in my heart, with the wealth of statistical information at hand, it was possible to form some indisputable driver rankings in order of raw talent.
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Here’s how I determined the rankings: a simple Ctrl+F (find on page) search for the term “raw talent” on every driver’s page comments. Incredibly scientific, I know. Here goes.
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No. 16: J.J. Yeley
J.J. Yeley’s dirt racing prowess is always good for a few call-outs of raw talent.
J.J. Yeley’s dirt racing prowess is always good for a few call-outs of raw talent.
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No. 15: Daniel Suarez
He made the list for raw driving talent and raw flipping-Michael-McDowell talent.
He made the list for raw driving talent and raw flipping-Michael-McDowell talent.
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No. 14: Morgan Shepherd
So much raw, unharnessed talent. Maybe someday he’ll finally grow up and mature a little bit.
So much raw, unharnessed talent. Maybe someday he’ll finally grow up and mature a little bit.
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No. 13: Tyler Reddick
We’ll see what raw talent means for a Cup Series rookie.
We’ll see what raw talent means for a Cup Series rookie.
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No. 12: Brad Keselowski
Not bad, Brad.
Not bad, Brad.
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No. 11: Todd Gilliland
Front Row Motorsports knew this, which is why they tabbed him to drive for their new Gander Trucks team.
Front Row Motorsports knew this, which is why they tabbed him to drive for their new Gander Trucks team.
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No. 10: Kyle Busch
With only a few mentions of “raw talent” on his driver page, Kyle Busch’s talent must be incredibly refined, or cooked, or whatever the non-raw version of talent is.
With only a few mentions of “raw talent” on his driver page, Kyle Busch’s talent must be incredibly refined, or cooked, or whatever the non-raw version of talent is.
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No. 9: Christopher Bell
Ninth place feels like a low ranking for the guy who races — and wins — just about everything, but the Internet’s never wrong.
Ninth place feels like a low ranking for the guy who races — and wins — just about everything, but the Internet’s never wrong.
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No. 8: Ben Rhodes
Kind of sounds like “roads” and that’s kind of what drivers use to race. Not a big leap to get to that conclusion.
Kind of sounds like “roads” and that’s kind of what drivers use to race. Not a big leap to get to that conclusion.
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No. 7: Kevin Harvick
Statistically, it’s hard to argue Kevin Harvick’s talent — but people online will find a way to argue anything.
Statistically, it’s hard to argue Kevin Harvick’s talent — but people online will find a way to argue anything.
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No. 6: Hailie Deegan
Sure, Hailie Deegan hasn’t yet made any national series starts, but the Internet’s got a hunch she’s got it.
Sure, Hailie Deegan hasn’t yet made any national series starts, but the Internet’s got a hunch she’s got it.
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No. 5: Ross Chastain
Also, as a watermelon farmer, he’s probably the driver with the most references to watermelon on his page.
Also, as a watermelon farmer, he’s probably the driver with the most references to watermelon on his page.
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No. 4: Erik Jones
I mean, he’s won at Daytona and Darlington. Those take talent.
I mean, he’s won at Daytona and Darlington. Those take talent.
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No. 3: Gray Gaulding
Surprising? Well, nothing’s surprising on the Internet.
Surprising? Well, nothing’s surprising on the Internet.
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No. 2: Chase Elliott
Second place: he hates it for his guys. Can we still make that joke, or did we declare it dead, like, three years ago?
Second place: he hates it for his guys. Can we still make that joke, or did we declare it dead, like, three years ago?
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No. 1: Kyle Larson
Technically, Kyle Larson tied with Chase Elliott for the most references of “raw talent” on his Racing-Reference page, but I’m giving him the edge since a bunch of people replied to my “What is raw talent?” tweet by simply writing Kyle Larson’s name. Congrats, Kyle Larson — the Internet has decided you’re the driver with the most raw talent, whatever that means. Time to shotgun a beer with Katelyn.
Technically, Kyle Larson tied with Chase Elliott for the most references of “raw talent” on his Racing-Reference page, but I’m giving him the edge since a bunch of people replied to my “What is raw talent?” tweet by simply writing Kyle Larson’s name. Congrats, Kyle Larson — the Internet has decided you’re the driver with the most raw talent, whatever that means. Time to shotgun a beer with Katelyn.