From the drop of the first green flag, Øverrated begins its NASCAR driver ratings. Having a ratings system is necessary for discussing which drivers are underrated or overrated. The ØR (Øverrated Rating) is an ELO-style rating system based on who beat whom and when.
The NASCAR Driver Universe (NDU) began with the very first Cup race on Sunday, June 19, 1949. From the drop, all drivers are assigned a 1500 ØR, which is subsequently adjusted based on their racing results. Thirty-three started the day as equals in a zero-sum game ratings system. After 150 contested miles on the Charlotte Speedway, winning driver Jim Roper became the highest-rated driver with a debut rating of 1629 ØR.
The first driver to cross the finish line on that day, Glenn Dunaway, debuted with a 1366 ØR by virtue of being disqualified and placed last. During post-race inspection, Dunaway’s 1947 Ford had illegally altered rear springs. The sport was ‘outlaw’ from the drop as altered rear springs were a common modification used for hauling moonshine to improve handling under heavy loads.
One can say the debate of which driver is overrated started on day 1 when the second-place finisher was rated 263 points better than the first-place finisher even though original ELO ratings weren’t invented until a decade later and were not applied to NASCAR drivers for over five more decades
Arguably, the only winning driver in Cup history has justly been labeled. Jim Roper was Øverrated.
Top 10 Drivers
| Driver | ØR |
| Jim Roper | 1629 |
| Fonty Flock | 1621 |
| Red Byron | 1613 |
| Sam Rice | 1605 |
| Tim Flock | 1597 |
| Archie Smith | 1589 |
| Sterling Long | 1581 |
| Slick Smith | 1573 |
| Curtis Turner | 1565 |
| Jimmy Thompson | 1557 |
(sps – 2026-08-09)