As we look back on the sport, a lot of focus is on those who won a lot of features... and those who won championships... and as it should be, because there should be recognition and reward to those who achieve success.

But as you know, 3 Wides Picture Vault has always tried to represent and recognize all who made the show what it was.... because as you guys know... there's usually only one feature winner per division on any given night, which means that back in the day.... when there were 50 cars (or more) per division... well, you do the math... that means at least 49 went home without a checked flag.

So, this week's question... and you guys can go in any direction you want...  what drivers come to mind when you think of who belong in the discussion of "Best Driver's Not to Win a Feature?"  It could be a local short track driver,or if you're thinking more nationally than locally, maybe rephrase the question to "Best driver to have won features in divisions on their way up, but never won an event at the highest level that they competed in."

Maybe the driver never won in any division....  Maybe they won in sportsman, but never modified....  Maybe they won sprint car races, but never an Indy Car event....  Maybe they were successful in ARCA or Busch, but never won at the cup level... but you they caught your eye, and maybe they even became one of your favorites, even without finding victory lane.....

There's no rules here....  Just something to think about to keep the brain cells active, and hopefully get you guys thinking about a few drivers that maybe should be brought into the discussion for their efforts too. 

So, who do you think belongs in the discussion of Best Driver to Not Win a Feature and/or Best Driver to Not Win at Their Highest Level?)

Flemington sprtsman driver paul Ilimeni #67. Always ran upfront but never won. Came within about 1/2 lap of winning the sportsman 100 lapper and then his 7-8 year old motor went kaput.

Tony Ferrante Jr on the NASCAR Whelan Modified tour.  He won in the Modern Stocks, Sportsman, and Modified levels at Wall Stadium and New Egypt.  He joined the NASCAR Modified Tour in the early 90's and raced pretty steady into the early 2000's. 2012 was his last race.  The last few years were sporatic starts.   He finished second a few times and a few pole awards, but did not win.

Not to mention decent drivers that never won a heat or consi, but were there every week. 

I remember Paul Ielmini, the Black and Gold 67, he liked to run the outside

Mike Mosley won at Trenton

Mark won one on 7-20-1990

Bob Ayers in a Modified 

I was more of sportsman fan and the fields and the talent didn't disappont in the late 70s and 80s.

At East Windsor I would wonder if this was the night for Freddy Kennedy to finally get the little #89 coupe in victory lane; or Ed Czcek #21, Bob Lehrfield #735, Doc SanFilippo or Dom Buffalino in the #2b. All consistent runners.

At Flemington, I agree with Paintman about Paul Ilimeni. I'll add Glen Schwietering #80, Lou Hahn #3h, Bob Mraz #78, Bryan Quinlin #12, Dave Spurlin #42 and Kevin Kohler #66 to the list. It seemed like on any given Saturday one of them was near the front but none of them got that win. 

But we cheered them on!!

- David

If I'm thinking drivers that I watched race a lot back in the day and had no modified wins (not 100% sure here because I'm not sure if they won a modified feature before I got into local racing), how about Roy Kincaid, Wilber Force, Gerry Robison, Charlie Decker, Paul Balogash, Bobby Brueckner or Bruce Tinsley? I can't recall now--did Charles Shire win a modified race?

Force, Decker, Bolagashand Shire all modified feature winners.

Jack.   WTF.  lol. Had to say it!

Thanks for the info, Rick! Haha, Kev! Either they won before I started going to races regularly or at Jersey tracks before I attended...or most likely...old age setting in here. 

charlie shire won a 35 lap race at nazareth speedway on 4/9/72