Compare your favorite driver today with a driver from the past?

May be...

Jimmie Johnson (my favorite current driver) and David Pearson (my favorite all time driver) are similar in several ways. Neither one was an "in your face", force the issue kind of driver. A lot of times they would just hang back a little, avoid trouble and save their equipment. When the laps started winding down they could usually be found moving towards the front. They understood that to finish first, first you must first finish, better than most other drivers. They both have high winning percentages and continually finished as the champ or in contention for the championship.
3 STR8 N 08!!!

you can do as many as you want give explanations

Elliott Sadler is the reincarnation of Dale Earnhardt. Just kidding. He's more of a Mark Martin even though he still races. He would rather come in second than wreck someone even though he has been building up a reputation lately with is undeserved.

Tony Stewart as Cale Yarborough.

Tough as nails, but a big teddy bear off the track.

Rowdy reminds me most of my all time fav. Darrell Waltrip.
Darrell was very aggressive back in his day, move or be moved, (and he could dish it out, but hated taking it)
People thought he was arrogant, and cocky, and a bit of a hypocrite. He didn't get a nickname like "Jaws" for being the silent type. And they both have a very witty sense of humor..
It's one of the main reasons I picked Kyle as my favorite, he's like DW all over again..

It's kinda cliche, but Matt Kenseth is a lot like The Silver Fox because he can start close to the back, and all the sudden, he's up in front leading the race, and you're like, what the hell?