Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Nebraska

Originally published on Jan. 15, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been 11 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Nebraska. So far, drivers representing the Cornhusker State have picked up one win, four top-fives and 14 top-10s in 28 starts.

5. Jan Opperman (Active 1974)

Opperman claimed a top-10 finish in his lone Cup Series start, finishing eighth at Pocono Raceway in 1974.

4. Byron Clouse (Active 1953)

Clouse finished seventh at Lincoln City Fairgrounds in his only career Cup Series attempt, coming during the 1953 season.

3. Bud Burdick (Active 1960)

Burdick made a pair of Cup Series starts, taking one top-10 as he finished ninth in the second Daytona 500 Qualifier in 1960. Burdick went on to finish 11th in the 500 itself.

2. Marvin Copple (Active 1953-55)

Copple grabbed a top-five and a top-10 in his two-start career, coming home fifth at Lincoln City Fairgrounds in 1953, the same race that Clouse finished seventh in from earlier in this list.

1. Bob Burdick (Active 1959-62)

Burdick scored one victory, three top-fives and nine top-10s in 15 starts, getting the win in 1961 at Atlanta International Raceway (now Atlanta Motor Speedway) in what is still the only victory for a car numbered 53 in NASCAR. However, Burdick’s best points finish was in 1959, as he claimed the 21st position.

List of Cup Series drivers

1988-92 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Jan. 13, 2021

By Zane Miller

In seasons 31 through 35 of the Canadian Football League, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers won the championships during this span with two, taking the Grey Cup in 1988 and 1990. The remaining championships were claimed by different teams, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders won in 1989, the Toronto Argonauts winning in 1991 and the Calgary Stampeders snapping a 21-year-long drought in 1992.

The BC Lions took the runner-up spot in 1988, while the Hamilton Tiger-Cats came up short in 1989 and the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Football Team) were defeated in 1990. The Stampeders lost in 1991 before returning to win the Cup the next season, taking down the Blue Bombers.

BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders quarterback Doug Flutie won two of his four straight Most Outstanding Player Awards in 1991 and 1992. Flutie would go on to earn a total of six Most Outstanding Player Awards, which remains as the most all-time.

1988 MVP: David Williams (BC Lions, WR)- 18 TD & 1,468 yds receiving

1989 MVP: Tracy Ham (Edmonton Eskimos, QB)- 30 TD & 4,366 yds passing

1990 MVP: Pinball Clemons (Toronto Argonauts, RB/RS)- 8 TD & 905 yds receiving

1991 MVP: Doug Flutie (BC Lions, QB)- 38 TD & 6,619 yds passing

1992 MVP: Doug Flutie (Calgary Stampeders, QB)- 32 TD & 5,945 yds passing

1988 best record: Toronto Argonauts (14-4, .778) Worst record: Ottawa Rough Riders (2-16, .111)

1989 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (16-2, .889) Worst record: Ottawa Rough Riders (4-14, .222)

1990 best record: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-6, .667) Worst record: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-12, .333)

1991 best record: Toronto Argonauts (13-5, .722) Worst record: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-15, .167)

1992 best record: Calgary Stampeders (13-5, .722) Worst record: BC Lions (3-15, .167)

1988 playoffs

Out in first round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 42-18 to Lions), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 35-28 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 37-19 to Lions), Toronto Argonauts (L 27-11 to Blue Bombers)

1989 playoffs

Out in first round: Calgary Stampeders (L 33-26 to Roughriders), Toronto Argonauts (L 30-7 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 32-21 to Roughriders), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 14-10 to Tiger-Cats)

1990 playoffs

Out in first round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 43-27 to Eskimos), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 34-25 to Argonauts)

Out in second round: Calgary Stampeders (L 43-23 to Eskimos), Toronto Argonauts (L 20-17 to Blue Bombers)

1991 playoffs

Out in first round: BC Lions (L 43-41 to Stampeders), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 26-8 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 38-36 to Stampeders), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 42-3 to Argonauts)

1992 playoffs

Out in first round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 29-28 to Tiger-Cats), Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 22-20 to Eskimos)

Out in second round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 23-22 to Stampeders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 59-11 to Blue Bombers)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1988details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1992details.html

1983-87 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Jan. 11, 2021

By Zane Miller

In seasons 26 through 30 of the Canadian Football League, each season resulted in a different champion during this span, with the Toronto Argonauts winning the Grey Cup in 1983, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers claiming it in 1984, the BC Lions winning in 1985, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats nabbing it in 1986 and the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Football Team) taking the championship in 1987.

The Tiger-Cats were runners-up in 1984 and 1985, as did the Lions in 1983 along with the Eskimos in 1986 and the Argonauts in 1987. Five different players earned the Most Outstanding Player Award during this span.

1983 MVP: Warren Moon (Edmonton Eskimos, QB)- 31 TD & 5,648 yds passing

1984 MVP: Willard Reaves (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, RB)- 14 TD & 1,733 yds rushing

1985 MVP: Mervyn Fernandez (BC Lions, WR)- 15 TD & 1,727 yds receiving

1986 MVP: James Murphy (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, WR)- 12 TD & 1,746 yds receiving

1987 MVP: Tom Clements (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, QB)- 35 TD & 4,686 yds passing

1983 best record: Toronto Argonauts (12-4, .750) Worst record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-11, .313)

1984 best record: BC Lions (12-3-1, .800) Worst record: Ottawa Rough Riders (4-12, .250)

1985 best record: BC Lions (13-3, .813) Worst record: Calgary Stampeders (3-13, .188)

1986 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (13-4-1, .765) Worst record: Ottawa Rough Riders (3-14-1, .176)

1987 best record: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (12-6, .667) Worst record: Ottawa Rough Riders (3-15, .167)

1983 playoffs

Out in first round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 33-31 to Tiger-Cats), Edmonton Eskimos (L 49-22 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 39-21 to Lions), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 41-36 to Argonauts)

1984 playoffs

Out in first round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 55-20 to Blue Bombers), Montreal Concordes (L 17-11 to Tiger-Cats)

Out in second round: BC Lions (L 31-14 to Blue Bombers), Toronto Argonauts (L 14-13 (OT) to Tiger-Cats)

1985 playoffs

Out in first round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 30-20 to Concordes), Edmonton Eskimos (L 22-15 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Montreal Concordes (L 50-26 to Tiger-Cats), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 42-22 to Lions)

1986 playoffs

Out in first round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 31-17 to Argonauts), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 21-14 to Lions), Calgary Stampeders (L 27-18 to Eskimos)

Out in second round: Toronto Argonauts (L 42-25 to Tiger-Cats), BC Lions (L 41-5 to Eskimos)

1987 playoffs

Out in first round: Calgary Stampeders (L 30-16 to Eskimos), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 29-13 to Argonauts)

Out in second round: BC Lions (L 31-7 to Eskimos), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 19-3 to Argonauts)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1983details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1987details.html

Top 5 NASCAR/ARCA Drivers From Montana

Originally published on Jan. 9, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there has only been one driver in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Montana. So far, drivers representing the Treasure State have picked up one win, one top-five and one top-10 in two starts.

5. Scott Brandt (Active 2001-02)

Brandt scored a pair of top-fives and six top-10s in the now-defunct Southwest Series, with his best season coming in 2001 as he finished 11th in points.

4. Ken Kaltschmidt (Active 2001)

Kaltschmidt made two starts in what is now known as the ARCA Series West, as he went on to finish 36th in the final point standings.

3. Giles Thornton (Active 2013-14)

Thornton took five top-fives and 10 top-10s in 21 starts in the ARCA Series West, with a best finish of third coming at Stockton 99 Speedway in 2014 and claiming his best points finish of ninth during the 2013 campaign.

2. Justin Martz (Active 2006)

Martz, the most recent Montanan to race in one of the three main NASCAR series, made one Truck Series start at Gateway International Raceway (now World Wide Technology Raceway) in 2006. Martz claimed a lead-lap finish, coming home in the 20th spot.

1. Chuck Stevenson (Active 1955-56)

While Stevenson only made two Cup Series starts, he made the most of his brief appearance as he claimed the win at Willow Springs Speedway (now Willow Springs International Motorsports Park) in 1956, outlasting Marvin Panch as well as leading the most laps in the event.

List of Cup Series drivers

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Missouri

Originally published on Jan. 7, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 21 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Missouri. So far, drivers representing the Show Me State have shown us a total of 98 wins, 486 top-fives and 1,005 top-10s in 3,160 starts.

5. Lloyd Dane (Active 1951-64)

Dane claimed four victories, 23 top-fives and 36 top-10s in just 52 starts, with his best points finish of 21st in 1958 due to running a limited schedule.

4. Ken Schrader (Active 1984-2013)

The 1985 rookie of the year earned four wins, 64 top-fives and 184 top-10s in 763 Cup Series starts, getting a best points finish of fourth during the 1994 season.

3. Jamie McMurray (Active 2002-19)

The 2010 Daytona 500 winner claimed seven victories, 63 top-fives and 168 top-10s in 583 starts. However, McMurray was never quite able to reach the top-10 in points, taking a top points finish of 11th in 2004.

2. Carl Edwards (Active 2004-16)

Edwards scored 28 wins, 124 top-fives and 220 top-10s in his 445 starts, including a nine-win season in 2008 and nearly winning the 2011 championship but losing in a tiebreaker to Tony Stewart, both of which resulted in a second-place points result.

1. Rusty Wallace (Active 1980-2005)

Wallace claimed 55 victories, 202 top-fives and 349 top-10s in his 706-start career, as he went on to win rookie of the year honors in 1984 as well as the 1989 Cup Series championship. In 2013, Wallace was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with the International Motorsports Hall of Fame during the same year.

List of Cup Series drivers

1978-82 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Jan. 6, 2021

By Zane Miller

In seasons 21 through 25 of the Canadian Football League, the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Football Team) won all five of the championships during this span, increasing their CFL championship total up to six. The five consecutive championships still stands as the most in CFL history.

The Montreal Alouettes were runners-up in 1978 and 1979, while the Hamilton Tiger-Cats finished in the runner-up spot in 1980. The Ottawa Rough Riders lost in 1981, while the Toronto Argonauts came up short in 1982.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dieter Brock earned the most Most Outstanding Player Awards during this span, winning in 1980 and 1981 as he scored a combined 60 passing touchdowns and 9,044 passing yards in those two seasons.

1978 MVP: Tony Gabriel (Ottawa Rough Riders, TE)- 11 TD & 1,070 yds receiving

1979 MVP: David Green (Montreal Alouettes, RB)- 11 TD & 1,678 yds rushing

1980 MVP: Dieter Brock (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, QB)- 28 TD & 4,252 yds passing

1981 MVP: Dieter Brock (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, QB)- 32 TD & 4,796 yds passing

1982 MVP: Condredge Holloway (Toronto Argonauts, QB)- 31 TD & 4,661 yds passing

1978 best record: Ottawa Rough Riders (11-5, .688) Worst record: Toronto Argonauts (4-12, .250)

1979 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (12-2-2, .857) Worst record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-14, .125)

1980 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (13-3, .813) Worst record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-14, .125)

1981 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (14-1-1, .933) Worst record: Toronto Argonauts (2-14, .125)

1982 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (11-5, .688) Worst record: Montreal Concordes (2-14, .125)

1978 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 38-4 to Stampeders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 35-20 to Alouettes)

Out in second round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 21-16 to Alouettes), Calgary Stampeders (L 26-13 to Eskimos)

1979 playoffs

Out in first round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 29-26 to Rough Riders), BC Lions (L 37-2 to Stampeders)

Out in second round: Calgary Stampeders (L 19-7 to Eskimos), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 17-6 to Alouettes)

1980 playoffs

Out in first round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 25-21 to Alouettes), Calgary Stampeders (L 32-14 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 34-24 to Eskimos), Montreal Alouettes (L 24-13 to Tiger-Cats)

1981 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 15-11 to Lions), Montreal Alouettes (L 20-16 to Rough Riders)

Out in second round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 17-13 to Rough Riders), BC Lions (L 22-16 to Eskimos)

1982 playoffs

Out in first round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 30-20 to Rough Riders), Calgary Stampeders (L 24-3 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 24-21 to Eskimos), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 44-7 to Argonauts)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1978details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1982details.html

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Mississippi

Originally published on Jan. 5, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of nine drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Mississippi. So far, drivers representing the Magnolia State have taken a total of three wins, 34 top-fives and 114 top-10s in 714 starts.

5. Armond Holley (Active 1967)

Holley drove in five races during the 1967 season, getting a best finish of 15th while finishing 69th in the final points standings.

4. Joe Caspolich (Active 1957-61)

Caspolich made eight starts during his Cup career, claiming a best finish of 12th at Darlington Raceway in 1960 while getting his best points finish of 44th in the 1959 season.

3. Pappy Crane (Active 1960)

Despite making only two starts, Crane earned the first top-10 of any Mississippian with a ninth-place finish at Columbia Speedway in 1960.

2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Active 2011-pres.)

The 2013 rookie of the year has scored two wins, 18 top-fives and 38 top-10s in 292 current starts, with both of those wins coming in 2017, where he also took his career best points finish of 13th.

1. Lake Speed (Active 1980-98)

Speed took one victory, 16 top-fives and 75 top-10s in 402 races, as he won at Darlington Raceway in 1988 with his top points finish of 10th coming in the 1985 season.

List of Cup Series drivers (current drivers in yellow)

1973-77 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Jan. 3, 2021

By Zane Miller

In seasons 16 through 20 of the Canadian Football League, the Ottawa Rough Riders and Montreal Alouettes each won the Grey Cup twice, with the Rough Riders winning in 1973 and 1976, while the Alouettes won it in 1974 and 1977. The Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Football Team) won the championship once in 1975.

The Eskimos were also runners-up in the Grey Cup three times in these five years; coming up short in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Meanwhile the Alouettes fell in the Cup in 1975, as did the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1976.

Five different players earned the Most Outstanding Player Award during this span, with Roughriders quarterback Ron Lancaster as the only repeat winner as he had previously won the honor in the 1970 season.

1973 MVP: George McGowan (Edmonton Eskimos, WR)- 9 TD & 1,123 yds receiving

1974 MVP: Tom Wilkinson (Edmonton Eskimos, QB)- 13 TD & 2,169 yds passing

1975 MVP: Willie Burden (Calgary Stampeders, RB)- 10 TD & 1,896 yds rushing

1976 MVP: Ron Lancaster (Saskatchewan Roughriders, QB)- 25 TD & 3,869 yds passing

1977 MVP: Jimmy Edwards (Hamilton Tiger-Cats, RB)- 6 TD & 1,561 yds rushing

1973 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (9-5-2, .643) Worst record: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-11-1, .267)

1974 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (10-5-1, .667) Worst record: Calgary Stampeders (6-10, .375)

1975 best record: Edmonton Eskimos (12-4, .750) Worst record: Toronto Argonauts (5-10-1, .333)

1976 best record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (11-5, .688) Worst record: Calgary Stampeders (2-12-2, .143)

1977 best record: Montreal Alouettes (11-5, .688) Worst record: Calgary Stampeders (4-12, .250)

1973 playoffs

Out in first round: Toronto Argonauts (L 32-10 (OT) to Alouettes), BC Lions (L 33-13 to Roughriders)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 25-23 to Eskimos), Montreal Alouettes (L 23-14 to Rough Riders)

1974 playoffs

Out in first round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 21-19 to Rough Riders), BC Lions (L 24-14 to Roughriders)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 31-27 to Eskimos), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 14-4 to Alouettes)

1975 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 42-24 to Roughriders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 35-12 to Alouettes)

Out in second round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 20-10 to Alouettes), Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 30-18 to Eskimos)

1976 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 14-12 to Eskimos), Montreal Alouettes (L 23-0 to Tiger-Cats)

Out in second round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 17-15 to Rough Riders), Edmonton Eskimos (L 23-13 to Roughriders)

1977 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 33-32 to BC Lions), Toronto Argonauts (L 21-16 to Rough Riders)

Out in second round: Ottawa Rough Riders (L 21-18 to Alouettes), BC Lions (L 38-1 to Eskimos)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1973details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1977details.html

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Minnesota

Originally published on Jan. 2, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 13 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Minnesota. So far, drivers representing the Land of 10,000 Lakes have taken a total of four top-fives and 22 top-10s in 168 starts.

5. Blackie Wangerin (Active 1971-84)

Wangerin made 27 starts during his Cup Series career, taking a best finish of 13th at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1980, while having his best points finish of 35th during the 1979 season.

4. Dick Fellows (Active 1953)

Fellows earned a 10th-place finish in his lone Cup Series start at Rapid Valley Speedway in 1953, taking a final points finish of 86th.

3. Virgil Livengood (Active 1950-54)

Livengood made a total of five starts with one top-10 finish at Central City Speedway in 1953, with his best points finish of 57th also coming in that season.

2. Bob Potter (Active 1959-60)

Potter also made five starts with one top-10, finishing 10th in the second Daytona 500 Qualifier race in 1960, which was run for points at that time. Potter finished with his best points finish of 50th at the conclusion of that season.

1. Joe Frasson (Active 1969-78)

Frasson takes the top spot on this list by a wide margin, claiming four top-fives and 19 top-10s in 107 starts. Frasson took his best finish of third at Darlington Raceway in 1972 and at Texas World Speedway in 1973, while claiming his best points finish of 22nd in 1970.

List of Cup Series drivers

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Michigan

Originally published on Jan. 1, 2021

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 82 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Michigan. So far, drivers representing the Wolverine State have taken a total of 46 wins, 229 top-fives and 425 top-10s in 1,388 starts.

Currently, Michigan is represented in the Cup Series by Brad Keselowski, making his debut in 2008, along with Erik Jones, who made his debut in 2015.

5. Ron Keselowski (Active 1970-74)

Keselowski took two top-fives and 11 top-10s in 68 starts, earning a best points finish of 27th in both 1971 and 1972.

4. Johnny Benson Jr. (Active 1996-2007)

Benson picked up one win, 18 top-fives and 58 top-10s in 274 starts, with his best points finish of 11th coming in both 1997 and 2001.

3. Erik Jones (Active 2015-pres.)

Jones has scored two wins with 33 top-fives and 62 top-10s in 147 starts so far, taking a best points finish of 15th in 2018.

2. Paul Goldsmith (Active 1956-69)

Goldsmith picked up nine victories along with 44 top-fives and 59 top-10s in 127 races, with his best points finish of fifth occurring in the 1966 season.

1. Brad Keselowski (Active 2008-pres.)

Keselowski has taken 34 victories, 128 top-fives and 210 top-10s in 413 starts to this point, winning the 2012 Cup Series championship while likely on his way to a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame once he retires.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Maryland

Originally published on Dec. 31, 2020

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 55 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Maryland. So far, drivers representing the Old Line State have taken a total of two wins, 72 top-fives and 265 top-10s in 1,076 starts.

5. George Davis (Active 1967-69)

Davis earned one top-five and seven top-10s in 28 Cup Series starts, with his best points finish of 40th coming in the 1967 season.

4. John Dodd Jr. (Active 1954-62)

Dodd scored one top-five and nine top-10s in 23 starts, claiming his best points finish in 1955 as he took the 25th spot.

3. Reds Kagle (Active 1954-61)

Kagle claimed three top-fives and nine top-10s in 25 races, taking a career best finish of fourth at Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds (now Richmond Raceway) in 1959.

2. Harvey Henderson (Active 1952-61)

Henderson picked up one top-five and 10 top-10s in 40 starts, getting his best points finish of 22nd during the 1955 season, while also having his best finish of fifth at Monroe County Fairgrounds during that same season.

1. Elmo Langley (Active 1954-81)

Langley claimed a pair of victories along with 63 top-fives and 193 top-10s in 535 starts, taking both of his wins during the 1966 season while also finishing fifth in points during both the 1969 and 1971 seasons.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Massachusetts

Originally published on Dec. 31, 2020

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 24 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Massachusetts. So far, drivers representing the Bay State have taken a total of 10 wins, 67 top-fives and 136 top-10s in 417 starts.

5. Augie Walackas (Active 1950-51)

Walackas claimed one top-five and three top-10s in five starts, with his best finish of third at Heidelberg Raceway in 1951 putting him at a best points finish of 53rd.

4. Bill Walker (Active 1956-58)

Walker took one top-five and three top-10s in six Cup Series starts. Walker’s best finish was a third at the New York State Fairgrounds in 1957, with his best points finish also a 53rd-place result that same season.

3. Ron Bouchard (Active 1981-87)

The 1981 rookie of the year claimed one victory, 19 top-fives and 60 top-10s in 160 starts, best known for winning at Talladega Superspeedway in 1981 by just two feet over Darrell Waltrip. Bouchard’s only top-10 points finish came in 1982, as he took eighth place.

2. Pete Hamilton (Active 1968-73)

The 1970 Daytona 500 champ took four wins, 26 top-fives and 33 top-10s in 64 starts, winning the 1968 rookie of the year award in the process. However, due to only running a limited schedule throughout his Cup career, Hamilton’s best points finish was 21st in 1970.

1. Ralph Moody (Active 1956-62)

Moody scored five wins, 18 top-fives and 27 top-10s in 47 starts, picking up a best points finish of eighth during his rookie season in 1956. Moody gained even more success as a car owner later on, winning championships in 1968 and 1969 with David Pearson as the driver.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Maine

Originally published on Dec. 26, 2020

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of eight drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Maine. So far, drivers representing the Pine Tree State have taken a total of two wins, 17 top-fives and 42 top-10s in 319 starts.

5. Niles Gage (Active 1968)

Gage also finished 13th in his only start during the 1968 season, this time at Oxford Plains Speedway where Gage was 26 laps down but also still running at the end.

4. Bob Greeley (Active 1972)

Greeley finished 13th in his lone start in 1972 at Trenton Speedway, as he was 18 laps down, however still running at the finish.

3. Austin Theriault (Active 2019)

Theriault drove in five races during the 2019 campaign, taking a best finish of 32nd at both Michigan International Speedway and Richmond Raceway while coming in 35th in the points standings.

2. Stan Meserve (Active 1968)

Meserve picked up a top-10 during the 31 starts he made during the 1968 season, finishing 26th in the final points standings.

1. Ricky Craven (Active 1991-2004)

As the only Mainer so far to make starts in multiple seasons, Craven takes the top spot with a pair of victories to go along with 17 top-fives and 41 top-10 finishes, with a best points finish of 15th in 2002.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Louisiana

Originally published on Dec. 25, 2020

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 10 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Louisiana. So far, drivers representing the Pelican State have taken a total of 11 top-fives and 34 top-10s in 125 starts.

5. Billy Hagan (Active 1969-79)

Hagan made three Cup Series starts over a span of 11 seasons, earning one top-10 with an eighth-place finish in the first-ever race at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969. Hagan is better known for his role as a car owner, as he owned the 44 car which Terry Labonte drove to a championship in 1984.

4. Freddy Fryar (Active 1956-71)

Fryar drove in six starts in a 16-season span, getting one top-10 in the process with a sixth-place run at Talladega in 1970.

3. Ralph Dyer (Active 1950-53)

Dyer picked up three top-10s in seven Cup Series starts, with all of the top-10s coming in the 1953 season.

2. Herschel Buchanan (Active 1950-54)

Buchanan scored nine top-fives and 13 top-10s over the course of 23 starts, with his best points finish of 16th coming in the 1952 season.

1. Skip Manning (Active 1975-79)

The 1976 rookie of the year earned a pair of top-fives and 16 top-10s in 79 starts, claiming his best points finish of 14th in 1977, with his car owner being Billy Hagan, who took the fifth spot on this list.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

1968-72 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Dec. 24, 2020

By Zane Miller

In seasons 11 through 15 of the Canadian Football League, the Ottawa Rough Riders won the Grey Cup in two of the five years with back-to-back wins, defeating the Calgary Stampeders 24-21 in 1968 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders 29-11 in 1969. Also winning championships were the Montreal Alouettes, who defeated the Stampeders 23-10 in 1970, with the Stampeders getting redemption in 1971 by winning 14-11 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before the Tiger-Cats rebounded in 1972 with a 13-10 victory over the Roughriders.

The Most Outstanding Player Award was won by a different player each year during this span, as Russ Jackson claimed his third MVP award in his final season, as well as the first of two MVP selections for Ron Lancaster.

1968 MVP: Bill Symons (Toronto Argonauts, RB)- 9 TD & 1,107 yds rushing

1969 MVP: Russ Jackson (Ottawa Rough Riders, QB)- 33 TD & 3,641 yds passing

1970 MVP: Ron Lancaster (Saskatchewan Roughriders, QB)- 16 TD & 2,779 yds passing

1971 MVP: Don Jonas (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, QB)- 27 TD & 4,036 yds passing

1972 MVP: Garney Henley (Hamilton Tiger-Cats, WR)- 7 TD & 881 yds receiving

1968 best record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-3-1, .800) Worst record: Montreal Alouettes (3-13, .188)

1969 best record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-3, .813) Worst record: Montreal Alouettes (2-10-2, .167)

1970 best record: Saskatchewan Roughriders (14-2, .875) Worst record: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-14, .125)

1971 best record: Toronto Argonauts (10-4, .714) Worst record: Edmonton Eskimos (6-10, .375)

1972 best record: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (11-3, .786) Worst record: Toronto Argonauts (3-11, .214)

1968 playoffs

Out in first round: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 33-21 to Argonauts), Edmonton Eskimos (L 29-13 to Stampeders)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 32-0 & W 25-12 to Stampeders), Toronto Argonauts (W 13-11 & L 36-14 to Rough Riders)

1969 playoffs

Out in first round: BC Lions (L 35-21 to Stampeders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 15-9 to Argonauts)

Out in second round: Toronto Argonauts (W 22-14 & L 32-13 to Rough Riders), Calgary Stampeders (L 17-11 & L 36-13 to Roughriders)

1970 playoffs

Out in first round: Edmonton Eskimos (L 16-9 to Stampeders), Toronto Argonauts (L 16-7 to Alouettes)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 28-11, W 11-3 & L 15-14 to Stampeders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 32-22 & L 11-4 to Alouettes)

1971 playoffs

Out in first round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 34-23 to Roughriders), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 23-4 to Tiger-Cats)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 30-21 & L 23-21 to Stampeders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 23-8 & T 17-17 to Argonauts)

1972 playoffs

Out in first round: Montreal Alouettes (L 14-11 to Rough Riders), Edmonton Eskimos (L 8-6 to Roughriders)

Out in second round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 27-24 to Roughriders), Ottawa Rough Riders (W 19-7 & L 23-8 to Tiger-Cats)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1968details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1972details.html

Top 5 NASCAR Cup Series Drivers From Kentucky

Originally published on Dec. 23, 2020

By Zane Miller

As of the 2021 racing season, there have been a total of 29 drivers in the Cup Series with their hometown listed in Kentucky. So far, drivers representing the Bluegrass State have taken a total of 10 wins, 100 top-fives and 280 top-10s in 1,761 starts.

5. Bub King (Active 1950-54)

King took a pair of top-fives and 12 top-10s in 35 Cup Series starts, with a best points finish of 15th coming in the 1952 season.

4. Jeff Green (Active 1994-2015)

Green claimed five top-fives and 16 top-10s in 270 starts, with his best points finish of 17th coming in 2002.

3. Tommy Thompson (Active 1950-59)

Thomson earned a win with two top-fives and four top-10s in 22 starts, claiming a best points finish of 19th in the 1951 season.

2. Jeremy Mayfield (Active 1993-2009)

Mayfield earned five victories with 48 top-fives and 96 top-10s in 433 starts, with his best points finish of seventh occurring in 1998.

1. Michael Waltrip (Active 1985-2017)

The two-time Daytona 500 champ takes the top spot on this list with four wins, 41 top-fives and 133 top-10s in 784 starts, while also claiming his best points finish in both 1994 and 1995 by finishing 12th both years.

List of Cup Series drivers (Current drivers in yellow)

2020 XFL Season Recap

Originally published on Dec. 21, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, March 8th, 2020, the 2020 XFL season concluded with the Houston Roughnecks holding the best regular season record at an undefeated 5-0. The DC Defenders held the best record in the East Division at 3-2 with a 2-1 record against divisional opponents, however the season was concluded early due to the coronavirus pandemic. No official champion was determined.

2020 Final Standings

East Division

DC Defenders (3-2, .600)

St. Louis BattleHawks (3-2, .600)

New York Guardians (3-2, .600)

Tampa Bay Vipers (1-4, .200)

West Division

Houston Roughnecks (5-0, 1.000)

Dallas Renegades (2-3, .600)

Los Angeles Wildcats (2-3, .600)

Seattle Dragons (1-4, .200)

Most passing touchdowns: #11 PJ Walker (Roughnecks)- 15 TD

Most rushing touchdowns: #28 James Butler (Roughnecks)- 4 TD

Most receiving touchdowns: #14 Cam Phillips (Roughnecks)- 9 TD

Most sacks: #99 Cavon Walker (Guardians)- 4.5 sacks

Most interceptions: #32 Deatrick Nichols (Roughnecks)- 3 INT

Links to stats database: https://www.statscrew.com/football/leaders/l-XFL/y-2020

1963-67 CFL Season Recaps

Originally published on Dec. 19, 2020

By Zane Miller

In seasons six through 10 of the Canadian Football League, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats won the Grey Cup in three out of the five years. The Tiger-Cats defeated the BC Lions 21-10 in 1963, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22-16 in 1965 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-1 in 1967, while the BC Lions took down the Tiger-Cats 34-24 in 1964 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders won 29-14 over the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1966.

The player taking home the most Most Outstanding Player Awards during this span was Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson, who won the award in 1963 and 1966 with a combined 36 passing touchdowns and 5,310 passing yards in those two seasons.

1963 MVP: Russ Jackson (Ottawa Rough Riders, QB)- 19 TD & 2,910 yds passing

1964 MVP: Lovell Coleman (Calgary Stampeders, RB)- 10 TD & 1,629 yds rushing

1965 MVP: George Reed (Saskatchewan Roughriders, RB)- 12 TD & 1,768 yds rushing

1966 MVP: Russ Jackson (Ottawa Rough Riders, QB)- 17 TD & 2,400 yds passing

1967 MVP: Peter Liske (Calgary Stampeders, QB)- 40 TD & 4,479 yds passing

1963 best record: BC Lions (12-4) Worst record: Edmonton Eskimos (2-14)

1964 best record: BC Lions (11-2-3) Worst record: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-14-1)

1965 best record: Calgary Stampeders (12-4) Worst record: Toronto Argonauts (3-11)

1966 best record: Ottawa Rough Riders (11-3) Worst record: BC Lions (5-11)

1967 best record: Calgary Stampeders (12-4) Worst record: Montreal Alouettes (2-12)

1963 playoffs

Out in first round: Calgary Stampeders (W 35-9 & L 39-12 to Roughriders), Montreal Alouettes (L 17-5 to Rough Riders)

Out in second round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 19-7, W 13-8 & L 36-1 to Lions), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 45-0 & W 35-18 to Tiger-Cats)

1964 playoffs

Out in first round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (W 34-25 & L 51-6 to Stampeders), Montreal Alouettes (L 27-0 to Rough Riders)

Out in second round: Calgary Stampeders (L 24-10, W 14-10 & L 33-14 to Lions), Ottawa Rough Riders (W 30-13 & L 26-8 to Tiger-Cats)

1965 playoffs

Out in first round: Saskatchewan Roughriders (L 15-9 to Blue Bombers), Montreal Alouettes (L 36-7 to Rough Riders)

Out in second round: Calgary Stampeders (W 27-9, L 15-11 & L 19-12 to Blue Bombers), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 18-13 & L 17-7 to Tiger-Cats)

1966 playoffs

Out in first round: Montreal Alouettes (L 24-14 to Tiger-Cats), Edmonton Eskimos (L 16-8 to Blue Bombers)

Out in second round: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (L 14-7 & L 21-19 to Roughriders), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (L 30-1 & L 42-16 to Rough Riders)

1967 playoffs

Out in first round: Toronto Argonauts (L 38-22 to Rough Riders), Edmonton Eskimos (L 21-5 to Roughriders)

Out in second round: Calgary Stampeders (W 15-11, L 11-9 & L 17-13 to Roughriders), Ottawa Rough Riders (L 11-3 & L 26-0 to Tiger-Cats)

Grey Cup results

 

Link to stats database: https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1963details.html through https://www.cflapedia.com/Years/1967details.html