As the decade comes to a close we see a lot of websites ranking the top 10 movies of the decade, the top 10 albums of the decade, etc. I thought it would be appropriate to do something similar to encapsulate the last 10 years in Stock Outboard racing. I wanted to find what 10 drivers had the greatest success and create the top 10 drivers of the last 10 years list. The criteria is pretty simple, winning a National Championship is worth 5 points, winning a National High Points title in a class with greater than 50 boats is also worth 5 points, a class with 25-50 boats being worth 3 points and any other class being worth 1. Winning the Menzies, Waldman or Dewald award is worth 3 points, and being inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions in the Stock Outboard category being worth 10 points. The only caveat being I was not able to locate any information to reference for marathon racing, meaning I was not able to include accomplishments from our marathon friends. Based on speculation, the list would have remained fairly similar, with drivers Peter Lauer and Terry Kerr possibly moving up the list a small amount. Other excellent drivers such as Mike Ross, Mac Pfalzer, Stephen McCourtie and the Pearsons would have also been amongst the contenders.
Just missing the cut included Andrew Tate, Abby Pond, Max Acierno, Kyle Bahl and Billy Simmons.
10. Nate Mitchell
The youngest driver on the top 10 cemented his spot on the all decade list with a stellar 2019 season. In his short but illustrious career in Stock Outboard, Nate has collected 2 National Championships, 3 National High Points and a 2019 Hall of Champions induction to bring him to 35 points.
9. Johnny Wlodarski
Another driver who catapulted himself onto the list within the last few years, Johnny has tallied 2 National Championships, (1) National High Points with 50+ boats, (2) National High Points with 25-50 boats and (2) more National High Points. The New Jersey native has also won the Waldman and Menzies award one time each. Johnny capped off his 2019 season with a Hall of Champions induction, bringing his grand total to 39 points.
8. J. Michael Kelly
JMK had a stellar decade in a variety of classes. He won 4 National Championships and 2 National High Points in 2010 and another High Points in 2013. To cap it all off, he won the 2010 Menzies award and was inducted into the Hall of Champions, totaling to 48 points.
7. Peter Lauer
Winning 9 National Championships between 2012 and 2019 is a shocking accomplishment. Once you realize that Peter has also won another handful of Championships in Modified racing and marathon, it is pretty incredible what the MI native has accomplished. Peter has also won 2 National High Points and was inducted into the 2018 Hall of Champions, bringing him to 57 points.
6. Terry Kerr
Known for ASR and marathon racing, Terry stepped out of his comfort zone and found success racing hydroplanes this decade. Kerr won 300SSH 4 consecutive years and also won the national high points in 2017. Kerr was also inducted into the Hall of Champions 3 times, won the Menzies award and won 2 more National High Points, thus scoring 63 points.
5. Mikey Pavlick
Known for being devilishly handsome, funny and modest, Pavlick made his name known in the back half of the decade. Winning 4 National Championships, 4 National High Points, the Menzies and Waldman awards and being inducted into the 2018 and 2019 Hall of Champions gives Mr. Handsome 66 points.
4. Kyle Lewis
Kyle had a stellar decade in a wide variety of different classes. Kyle won 4 National Championships, 5 National High Points, the Menzies award and was inducted into the Hall of Champions in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Kyle amassed an impressive 78 points over that time.
3. Donny Allen
Donny had an impressive decade in a variety of classes. D3 secured the majority of his outboard success in the early portion of the decade, but it was enough to carry him to a top 3 position on this list. Donny won 7 National Championships(6 of those between 2010 and 2014), 6 National High Points, and 3 Hall of Champion inductions(2010,2013,2014). Donny's accomplishments brought him to 95 total points.
2. Joe Pater
The elder statesman of the list has shown that he has no intention of slowing down in his sixties. Joe recorded an impressive 6 National Championships, 5 National High Points, 2 Menzies awards, 1 Waldman award and 4 Hall of Champions induction(2011,2012,2016,2017). Joe was one of two drivers to score over 100 total points, with a grand total of 102 over the previous decade.
1. Edward Hearn
As much pain as this may bring me, Edward was far and away the most successful driver of this decade. Only racing seriously from 2010 to 2016, the totals are still astonishing. Ed totaled a jaw dropping 9 National Championships, 7 National High Points, 2 Menzies and 5 Hall of Champions inductions, bringing his point total to 124.
Congratulations to all of those on the list and all of those who just missed out. Who will be at the top of the January 2030 Throttled rankings???
Per usual, if any readers see any glaring issues with my tabulations, please let me know as quickly as possible.
-MP
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