LASTCAR Book: a LASTCAR book has been published that focuses on the year-by-year of last-place finishers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The book is available for download at both Amazon.com and Smashwords.com for $3.99 and includes more than 100 pages of never-before-published articles and statistics from 1949 through 2012. See press release at http://brockbeard.blogspot.com

NASCAR The Game: Inside Line video game now available: America's number one motorsport video game is back and better than ever as Activision Publishing announced that NASCAR The Game: Inside Line is available now at retail outlets nationwide on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and the Wii system from Nintendo. Created by leading independent game developer Eutechnyx, NASCAR The Game: Inside Line delivers the most authentic, fast-paced racing experience yet, putting players behind the wheel of the world's most powerful stock cars, and comes fuelled with more content than ever before. For the first time ever, using telemetry data from the past two seasons, players will have the chance to relive and rewrite historic NASCAR moments in over a dozen different scenarios. Fans can also purchase the NASCAR The Game Inside Line Pack, which will offer new downloadable content and challenges throughout the 2013 season. For more information on NASCAR The Game: Inside Line, visit NASCARTheGame.com.(Market Watch)(11-6-2012)

News on a couple of NASCAR books: NASCAR Fans will once again have the opportunity to purchase the Official NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Yearbook as Round 5 Books announced today that the 2012 edition is now available for pre-ordering at www.Round5Books.com. The Yearbook which ships in early December 2012 is the same book presented to championship winning drivers, team owners and race team members for over 20 years. With great photography, race results and stories the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Yearbook is a must have collectable for NASCAR fans.
AND: The book "Then Junior Said to Jeff...The Greatest NASCAR Stories Ever Told" by David Poole, Jim McLaurin, and Tom Gillispie has been updated and re-released in paperback for this fall. More information at: triumphbooks.com.(10-30-2012)

Johnson publishes book about 2011 Chase: Chandra and Jimmie Johnson announced the release of their self-published book, On The Road. The 208-page, hardcover book chronicles Johnson's 2011 unsuccessful quest for an historic sixth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. The book reveals lifestyle photographer Missy McLamb's unprecedented access to all aspects of the Johnsons' lives, from the frustrations of ending his record-breaking winning streak to the joys of fatherhood with then 1-year-old daughter Genevieve. NASCAR's 10-week playoff known as the Chase serves as the backdrop for this first-hand account of the emotional toll running for a championship takes on Johnson, his family and team. The book was self-published by the Johnsons and packaged for publication by designer Mark Pollard.A gallery showing of select prints will take place Oct. 13-20 in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit ontheroadstudio.com.(True Speed Communication)(9-13-2012)

Earnhardt Jr. wins vote to be on video game cover: The face of NASCAR's new video game also happens to be the face of NASCAR. But that might not be the primary reason that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a natural choice as the cover star of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. "Even though I drive cars for a living, it's fun to do it with a reset button," Earnhardt told USA TODAY Sports about his avid interest in video gaming. "It's definitely not foreign to me, and you can see me just as easily picking up a controller and playing. It's comfortable and something I'll be able to speak intelligently about if I was in a room full of gamers. I think it's a good fit." Earnhardt was chosen as the game's primary ambassador via an online poll that drew more than 750,000 votes through heavy promotion in social media. He will be the focus of a marketing campaign launching next month before the game's November release.(USA Today)(8-22-2012)

NASCAR in SI Kids book: Sports Illustrated Kids celebrates NASCAR in its new book, Sports Illustrated Kids' BIG Book of Why: Sports Edition, available in stores now. BIG Book of Why: Sports Edition answers key questions including the following:
"Why do NASCAR drivers wear long-sleeve suits when they drive?"
"Why do drivers need to make pit stops during NASCAR races?"
"Why do they wave a checkered flag at auto races?"
BIG Book of Why: Sports Edition provides in-depth explanations on the science, history and origin of NASCAR, with photos and illustrations that help make the information easy to digest. For more information, please visit sikids.com/bigbookofwhysports.(SI Kids)(8-22-2012)

Book: 100 Things NASCAR Fans Should Know and: Most NASCAR fans have enjoyed their share of tasty hotdogs at Martinsville Speedway, have seen highlights of a young Richard Petty and have witnessed “a big one” crash at their favorite tracks. But only real fans know how to party Talladega Boulevard style or the importance of winning nicknames like Silver Fox or Splendid Splinter, or which race is known as the “race that made NASCAR.” 100 Things NASCAR Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die was written for all of those serious stock car racing fans around the world who want to enhance their NASCAR IQ. It reveals special stories and experiences from fans and memorable moments about racers and tracks both past and present. Award- winning sports journalist and author Mike Hembree shares what’s really important and touches on some of the most famous races, personalities and traditions in NACAR history including:
How racing king Richard Petty won the last official NASCAR dirt-race event
Sara Christian becoming the first female NASCAR participant in 1949
How “Too Tough Too Tame” Darlington Raceway was carved out of an old peanut farm
How Darrel Waltrip became the first driver to twice win the Talladega 500
The sacred pilgrimage to the birthplace of Dale Earnhardt
Whether you’re a die-hard fan from the days of The Intimidator or a new supporter of Tony Stewart and youngster Trevor Bayne, this book contains all of the things NASCAR fans should actually see and do in their lifetime. If you want to call yourself a true NASCAR aficionado, increase your knowledge of the world’s most attended sporting event, and experience the full extent of the racing world, then 100 Things NASCAR Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is a must read. Mike Hembree has covered auto racing for two decades and seen more than 600 NASCAR races. He has been named writer of the year three times by the National Motorsports Press Association. He lives in Gaffney, NC. More info and how to purchase the book at ipgbook.com.(Independent Publishers Group)(3-18-2012)

New Jeff Gordon book: Do you ever wonder where all of those celebrity letters wind up? If you sent a letter to Jeff Gordon in the 1990’s, chances are that it was opened by Molly and Russ Harris, the founders of the Jeff Gordon National Fan Club – the largest personal touch fan club in racing. For more than a decade, they opened Jeff Gordon's mail! Molly’s new book “Opening Jeff Gordon’s Mail” takes readers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jeff Gordon National Fan Club. From their first meeting with the sprint car standout to his early years in NASCAR to his championship seasons, the book takes racing fans to places they only dreamed of. Molly and her husband founded the Jeff Gordon National Fan Club in 1992. From the outset, they catered not just to the fans of Jeff Gordon, but all race fans. By doing so, they created the most popular fan based club in all of racing in the 1990’s. In today's world of here today, gone tomorrow online marketing and product placement campaigns, “Opening Jeff Gordon’s Mail” takes readers to a time when customer service and fan appreciation was the gold standard. For more info and to buy the book, go to hobopublishing.co.(2-13-2012)

New Darrell Waltrip Book released: NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip knew that big changes were in the wind on the morning of February 18, 2001. For the first time in his long and storied career, Darrell would be watching the race from the broadcast booth high above the track, explaining its complexities to a television audience of millions. His younger brother Michael Waltrip would be among the starting drivers. Sundays Will Never Be the Same opens with a heart-stopping account of that dramatic race. By the time the sun set on that day, Michael Waltrip would have captured his first checkered flag in NASCAR’s biggest race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would have placed second, and Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s brightest star, would have passed into eternity. The sudden death of Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 was a traumatic loss for the entire NASCAR family, and few were affected more deeply than Darrell Waltrip.
For more info and to order the book, go to dwstore.com.(2-12-2012)

New Book by John Roberts: NASCAR is one of the world's most popular sports and The Great Book of NASCAR Lists, by SPEED Channel broadcaster John Roberts, with M.B. Roberts, shows just exactly what all the fuss is about. Including everything from the first and the fastest to the legendary and most outrageous, this book will have fans discussing, debating and celebrating NASCAR for many races to come. Fans will find themselves fixated on lists such as:
" The Fifty Greatest Drivers of All Time
" Trophies -the Best, Biggest, and Most Bizarre
" NASCAR's Grand Evolving Traditions
" Most Controversial Races
" Car Numbers that Count
" All-Time Laps Led
" And so much more!
Lists feature a brief explanation of ranking, plus entertaining and informative background information that may surprise. From a list of best quotes from drivers ("Second place is just the first loser,") and unexpected sponsors (Boudreaux's Butt Paste) to the best comeback stories (Ernie Irvan) and most memorable hard-luck moments in NASCAR history (J.D. McDuffie), it's all in here.
John Roberts has been covering sports for two decades. He is the host of the SPEED Channel's top rated programs NASCAR Raceday and Victory Lane. From the Daytona 500 to the Labor Day Classic, John Roberts travels to race cities every week to broadcast live with co-hosts Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace. He lives in Charlotte, NC. M.B. Roberts is the author of 17 books, including Sign of Life: A Story of Family, Tragedy, Music and Healing and Bear's Boys. She lives in Hollywood, FL.
More info at perseusbooks.com.(2-9-2012)

Book about Trevor Bayne: After winning the Daytona 500 in 2011, twenty-year-old Trevor Bayne became a role model for NASCAR fans everywhere. Now you can read his inspiring story in the new biography, DRIVEN BY FAITH: The Trevor Bayne Story (Zonderkidz; $6.99; January 2012) by award-winning Motorsports journalist Godwin Kelly. The youngest winner ever of the Daytona 500, Bayne candidly shares the story of his faith-driven racing career with NASCAR enthusiast Kelly. Kelly’s undeniable love of the sport shines through as he details each crowning moment of Bayne’s young life—how the child attached to his toy cars went on to win three WKA national and world championships, and NASCAR’s highest honor, the Daytona 500. For each accomplishment, the Knoxville-born racer credits his faith. “The biggest thing I’ve ever done—and ever could do—is find Christ,” Bayne says in the book. “That’s the reason I’m here.”Young readers and NASCAR enthusiasts will especially appreciate Bayne’s remarkable humility and passion, not only for his work on the track, but for helping families in need with Back2Back Ministries in Mexico and spreading the word of God. A champion, a big brother, a son and a devoted Christian, Bayne continues to inspire others on and off the race track. DRIVEN BY FAITH proves that the best is yet to come from this young star, who, with faith in his heart, has already touched many lives. “Victories are great, but they go away with time,” Bayne said. “A relationship with Christ is something that can never go away.”(PR), the book can be ordered at Amazon.com or zondervan.com (12-9-2011)

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Yearbook on sale: NASCAR Fans will once again have the opportunity to purchase the Official NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Yearbook as Round 5 Books announced that the 2011 edition is now available for pre-ordering at Round5Books.com. The Yearbook which ships in early December 2011 is the same book presented to championship winning drivers, team owners, and race team members for over 20 years.(11-13-2011)

Don Miller gets award for book: "Miller's Time," Coastal 181's acclaimed publication on the life and accomplishments of Don Miller, auto racing executive and longtime partner of Roger Penske, is the recipient of a highly valued award for excellence in motorsports writing. The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) awarded "Miller's Time" second place in its annual Motorsport Book competition, a contest judged by journalism professionals that attracts entries from around the world. Miller’s co-author is Jim Donnelly, an award-winning writer and senior editor of Hemmings Motor News in Bennington, Vermont.
The book recounts the story of Don Miller’s remarkable rise from Chicago hot rodder and automotive businessman to his role as Penske's top lieutenant in motorsports, a position that made him one of racing’s most respected and influential people. “Miller's Time” describes Don’s discovery and mentoring of both Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman, his invention of the NASCAR roof flap, and in gripping detail, the nearly fatal accident on pit road at Talladega that left him disabled.
Miller was humbled when hearing of the award. "I am very pleased, and very grateful, for the recognition we received, especially because it was the first effort for both of us in a project like this," Miller said. "To have been involved with a friend like Jim Donnelly in telling my story, and then have it win praise from our peers in racing is a true honor.”
"This is the story of Don's amazing life of accomplishment, lived fully with compassion and humility," Donnelly said. "Not many authors are fortunate to find a subject with such a worthwhile and interesting story, one that can also so clearly benefit anyone who reads it. I am thrilled to share this tribute with him."
All net proceeds from the sale of "Miller's Time" will be used in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, a special interest of Miller, who founded “Stocks for Tots” in Mooresville, NC, to mobilize the racing community around the issue. Miller was the recipient of NASCAR's first Humanitarian of the Year award.(Coastal 181)(6-5-2011)

Pocono: NASCAR's Northern Invasion: As a former sports editor of the Pocono Record, author Joe Miegoc covered racing at Pocono Raceway for two newspapers for more than 15 years, saw most of the good at the track and some of the bad. Now he has turned spectator, beginning a two-year journey that gave birth to "Pocono:NASCAR's Northern Invasion."
This book documents iconic Pocono Raceway, the role it played in spreading NASCAR above the Mason-Dixon Line and conversely, the role NASCAR played in saving Pocono. "Pocono: NASCAR's Northern Invasion" includes interviews and recollections of major NASCAR and Indy Car players of the time, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, A.J. Foyt, Janet Guthrie, Bill Elliott, Geoff Bodine and others.
As Pocono observes the 40th anniversary of its first major event, the 1971 Schaefer 500, "Pocono: NASCAR's Northern Invasion" details how NASCAR creator Bill France helped Pocono survive the USAC-CART Indy car war, how the track rode the coattails of Hall of Fame drivers Petty, David Pearson and Bobby Allison to financial success and how at Pocono, Allison's career ended and Tim Richmond's flourished.
It also documents Pocono's role in rock music history with its 1972 event that drew more than 200,000 people to a site more known for auto racing, with more than 30 million people in a 300-mile radius.
"Pocono: NASCAR's Northern Invasion" is an informative read that shows Pocono, in all its remoteness, in the great outdoors, where the legends have raced, and won and lost. For more information on this book go to www.Xlibris.com.(Pocono Raceway)(5-21-2011)

Book: Funny Dan the Race Car Man: Headline Kids, a division of Headline Books, has released Funny Dan the Race Car Man [32 pages, Retail $15.95] by award-winning writer Tim Packman this week. The book is part of the NASCAR Library Collection and is illustrated by talented artist Brendan Sellaro, a student at West Virginia University. Funny Dan is a NASCAR driver who competes for the pure joy of being involved in something he loves. His passion for racing is the one thing that motivates him to compete and, despite the fact he’s never been to victory lane, he’s still a winner to his family, friends and fellow competitors.
Children will enjoy the antics and hilarity of Funny Dan and his crew as they take part in the Super Fast 500, the biggest race of the year. Between his crew and fellow drivers, Funny Dan shows what it’s like to be a winner on, and off, the track. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., and now resident of Mooresville, N.C., Packman previously authored Bobby Allison – A Racer’s Racer and contributed two stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul – NASCAR II. He’s also won several media awards as a writer and for his work in covering motorsports for almost two decades. He is currently the Communications Director for R3 Motorsports; the #23 Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Packman will be a featured author in New York City at the Book Expo America May 24-26. Funny Dan will be there, too, looking sharp in his Sparco racing suit. For more information or to order copies of the book visit www.HeadlineKids.com.(5-5-2011)

2011 National Speedway Directory comes out in May: The source for race tracks hits the shelves in mid-May. The 2011 National Speedway Directory will list a total of 1,374 auto racing facilities. This directory is the most comprehensive and accurate listing of active tracks in the United States and Canada. Inside this handy 592-page paper-back book is detailed information on 1,000 oval tracks, 331 dragstrips and 108 road courses, including phone numbers, addresses, exact directions, nights of operation and type of racing. National Speedway Directory is the trusted information source for the motorsports industry. It prints listings of oval tracks, dragstrips, road courses, sanctions, publications, museums and race schedules. National Speedway Directory has been published annually since 1975. Track Guide is the new iPhone app, which puts race track information and directions right in the palm of your hand. Users can locate their favorite tracks, anywhere, anytime.(more info at the National Speedway Directory site)(5-3-2011)

TV Guide produces 2nd Insider's guide to NASCAR: TV Guide Magazine and NASCAR have joined forces for the second annual TV Guide Magazine's NASCAR Ultimate Insider's Guide for 2011, an all-access collector's guide for every NASCAR fan. The 88-page, special interest publication will be sold online and on newsstands for two months that began, February 17, 2011. TV Guide Magazine's NASCAR Ultimate Insider's Guide will feature unique content from award-winning NASCAR journalists, exclusive access, unmatched insight, and the latest up-to-the-minute information and features on the 63rd season of NASCAR. Fans can purchase the issue online at www.tvguidemagazine.com/nascar or at stores nationwide for $6.99.(TV Guide)(2-18-2011)

NASCAR featured in new Sports Illustrated book: Time Home Entertainment, Inc. and the editors of Sports Illustrated for Kids bring parents and kids a brand-new and book just in time for the holiday season. Sports Illustrated Kids: All Access is your pass to behind-the-scenes photos of athletes, locker rooms and more. Most fans experience sports from afar, but Sports Illustrated Kids gives you an All Access pass. Get an up-close look at the coolest items and places in sports. What does the inside of a baseball look like? What’s behind the doors of an NFL locker room?
Readers can unveil details by lifting up clear layers of acetate and go places they haven’t been before. Packed with exciting photos from Sports Illustrated and fascinating trivia, this hands-on book is guaranteed to entertain sports fans of all ages. With over 50 photos, the 48-page hardcover book offers readers an up-close look at the coolest items, people and places in sports.
Inside All Access, fans will find pages devoted to NASCAR:
* An “all access” x-ray look into Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team.
* The 18-wheel tractor-trailer for Busch’s team is stocked with everything crew members need as they travel.(11-17-2010)

New book: The Evolution of NASCAR: A Historical Collection Born on a beach, raised on the dusty dirt ovals of the Southeast, NASCAR has grown up to become a national sporting phenomenon. The road traveled has sometimes been bumpy and circuitous, but at all times interesting.
The Evolution of NASCAR: A Historical Collection chronicles the long hard drive from Daytona's beach to the sprawling superspeedways of today. Veteran NASCAR writer Deb Williams reintroduces the stars through the years - Red Byron, Lee and Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and many others - while recounting the great moments of stock car racing, beginning with the first NASCAR-sanctioned race in 1948. Along the way, the author also recalls the colorful characters who lifted the sport to prominence - including Jocko Flocko, the racing Rhesus monkey.
What sets this history of the sport apart from other accounts of the rise of NASCAR is the unique "scrapbook" format. The Evolution of NASCAR: A Historical Collection contains vintage photographs, artwork and memorabilia tucked into the dozens of pockets throughout the book. Replicas include such items as a 1940s Bill France Sr. business card, a 1948 ad for the first NASCAR beach and road race, a program from the first Daytona 500, a 1974 NASCAR driver's license and a 1994 Brickyard 400 press credential. No racing fan should be without this "home archive" of NASCAR's illustrious history.
"This Evolution of NASCAR book is such a neat deal," writes legendary driver Richard Petty in the book's foreword. "It lets people see our NASCAR family in a unique way. It's got a lot of photos no one has ever seen, so it gives a pretty interesting look at what our sport was when it began, where it's come from and how it's grown to what it is today."
The Evolution of NASCAR: A Historical Collection is part of the Vault series from Whitman Publishing, LLC, of Atlanta. The 144-page hardcover 12-inch by 10-inch book with slipcase is available for $49.95 in bookstores. The book can also be ordered online at WhitmanVaultBooks.com.(11-9-2010)

2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Yearbook on sale: NASCAR Fans will once again have the opportunity to purchase the Official NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Yearbook as Round 5 Books announced today that the 2010 edition is now available for pre-ordering at www.Round5Books.com. The Yearbook which ships in early December 2010 is the same book presented to championship winning drivers, team owners and race team members for over 20 years.(Round 5 Books)(10-26-2010)

NASCAR Fan Book: The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans is a travelogue illuminating the lives of dedicated, die-hard racing fans who the author, Andrew Giangola, encountered along his journey across NASCAR nation. The book delves into the rich, Americana history of NASCAR and explains its popularity through the eyes of fans, both ridiculous and inspirational. Corporal (U.S. Army) John Hyland, who is a featured fan, will sing the National Anthem for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. Hyland, a Charlotte native, is a Purple Heart recipient. Five of the passionate NASCAR fans who are featured in the book will also be there to tell their stories first-hand and sign copies of the book. Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart provided the book’s foreword, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch provides the afterword. Copies of The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans will be available for purchase at Books-A-Million.(PR)(5-28-2010)

New book by Don Miller released "Miller's Time - A Lifetime at Speed": A lot of books claim they'll tell you what it's really like to be a huge success in auto racing, a valued decision maker, somebody who really makes things happen instead of talking about it. This book is different. Don Miller went from racing on the streets, literally, to being a guy who stood shoulder to shoulder with Roger Penske for over 30 years, building the Penske racing empire.
Until now, Miller has never told the story of his astounding life in motorsports. Coastal 181 is proud to publish Miller's memoir, his detailed, unflinchingly honest accounting of the skill and dedication needed to stay out front in one of the world's most competitive sports. Miller is a guy who has done pretty much everything one person can accomplish in the business of racing and the world of really fast cars. A Chicago hot rodder, he developed into a professional drag racer, racing official, hard parts distributor, mechanic and fabricator, and the top salesman of performance engines in America.
And that was all before he met Roger Penske. As Penske's top racing executive, Miller became one of the most instrumental figures in modern automobile racing. He discovered a young Rusty Wallace and coached him to superstardom, then co-founded Penske Racing South with Wallace and the Captain. As Penske's expert on race tires, he recaptured the Midwest's short tracks for Goodyear. As Penske's sponsorship liaison, Miller created not just today's motorsports marketing program, but also the traveling souvenir trailer and show car. As Penske's personal talent evaluator, he made a career not only for Wallace, but also for Ryan Newman.
In "Miller's Time," Don Miller explains in clear and often humorous detail not only life at the pinnacle of racing, but what it's like to nearly die there. Miller has set speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, stood in victory lane at the Indianapolis 500, fabricated cars from scratch, and taken a kid from tumbledown short tracks to a Winston Cup title.
If you're ready for real honesty about how to make it in racing, Miller and his co-author, Hemmings Publishing Senior Editor Jim Donnelly, are ready to tell you. "Miller's Time," a 304-page hardcover priced at $29.95, is available through Coastal 181, www.coastal181.com or toll free at 877-907-8181. Miller, who received NASCAR's first Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work with youngsters at risk, has pledged to donate all proceeds from the book's sale to organizations that support the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
For more info about the book, see coastal181.com or my Book News page.(4-16-2010)

New book about African-American Stock Car team: How an African-American Stock Car Team Made Its Mark on NASCAR (Seven Stories Press) includes Leonard T. Miller's recollections of the uphill battles, institutionalized racism and glass ceiling encountered in high-tier racing in this newly released book, written in conjunction with sportswriter Andrew Simon. In 2005, Leonard T. Miller and his father, Leonard W. Miller (author of Silent Thunder) became the first African-Americans to win a track championship in NASCAR history.(NASCAR This Week), more info and to buy the book at sevenstories.com.(4-1-2010)

UNC Asheville Professor Releases Landmark Book on History of NASCAR: How did NASCAR evolve from moonshine running and dirt tracks to a billion dollar industry and the biggest spectator sport in the United States? A new book by Daniel S. Pierce, University of North Carolina at Asheville associate professor of history, takes an unprecedented look into NASCAR's history and reveals a story that racing fans and Southern historians alike will find compelling. "Real NASCAR: White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill France" (UNC Press, April 2010) examines the sport from its postwar beginnings on Piedmont North Carolina dirt tracks and Daytona Beach dunes through the early 1970s when the sport spread beyond its southern roots and gained national recognition. And in a fascinating and controversial twist, Pierce also confirms the popular notion of NASCAR's origins in bootlegging and establishes beyond a doubt the close ties between organized racing and the illegal liquor industry. Though Pierce grew up within earshot of the former Asheville Speedway, he didn't fall in love with NASCAR until a college roommate urged him to attend a race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1994. Pierce was an instant convert and has since interwoven his passion for the sport with his profession in studying Southern history. He put in countless hours talking with the founding fathers of the sport. Pierce started collecting interviews for "Real NASCAR" more than 10 years ago. The book includes conversations with Ned Jarrett, Humpy Wheeler, Bobby Isaac, Junior Johnson and Big Bill France himself, among many others.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the book is the confirmation that racing had early ties to moonshining. "When I first started doing research on NASCAR, I thought I would prove that the whole moonshine connection was overblown and exaggerated," said Pierce. "As I put it in the introduction, however, 'The deeper I looked, the more liquor I found.' Bootleggers and moonshiners were at the very core of early Piedmont stock car racing and the early days of NASCAR. The illegal industry not only provided the most talented and successful drivers, but the best mechanics, car owners, promoters and race track builders and owners." Moonshine and fast cars were a natural way to draw students into studying history, said Pierce, who has offered a class on NASCAR and involved students in the research process for "Real NASCAR." Those students who worked alongside Pierce found that he is not the archetypical tweed-wearing college professor. For instance, he has the whole side of a Dodge Challenger previously driven by Dave Blaney bolted to his office wall.
Pierce, an Asheville native, holds a doctorate in history from the University of Tennessee. A noted NASCAR historian, Pierce has written widely on the topic, including encyclopedia articles and an entry on "The Most Southern Sport on Earth: NASCAR and the Unions" for the Journal of Southern Culture. He also detailed the sport's bootlegging past for a History Channel special on Appalachian history. Pierce is also the author of "The Great Smokies: From Natural Habitat to National Park," which was the inaugural selection for Tennessee Reads, a book club featuring titles from the University of Tennessee Press. For more information or to read and excerpt from "Real NASCAR," visit uncpress.unc.edu.(4-5-2010)

New book about Bill France Jr.: A new book about the life of Bill France Jr. is available in stores now. Written by H.A. Branham, NASCAR’s Director of Written Communications, with a foreword from legendary newsman Tom Brokaw, the book chronicles France’s role in NASCAR’s early years prior to taking over for his father, through his battle with cancer and his mentoring of son and current Chairman/CEO Brian France. Known as a strong leader and colorful character, the stories in this book detail both sides. For example, from the book: “Bill Jr.’s speeches were sometimes spiced with witticisms that became known as “Billisms.” They were short and often politically incorrect. But no matter how they were perceived, they were universally understood whenever they were uttered. One of his favorites, to describe the importance of everyone “being on the same page” when it came to an idea: “We gotta all be pissin' through the same straw.” More info at NASCAR.com.(4-1-2010)

TV Guide teams with NASCAR to produce guide: TV Guide Magazine has partnered with NASCAR to create the TV Guide Magazine: NASCAR Special Collector’s Issue, the ultimate must-have collector’s guide for every NASCAR fan. The 88-page, special interest publication will be sold online and on newsstands for two months beginning today, March 30.ccTV Guide Magazine: NASCAR Special Collector’s Issue will feature unique content from NASCAR journalists, insider access, unparalleled insight, and the latest up-to-the-minute information and news features on NASCAR.ccFans can purchase the issue at stores nationwide for $6.99. The guide is also available now on NASCAR.com’s Superstore for $7.99 or free with a $50.00 purchase.
TV Guide Magazine: NASCAR Special Collector’s Issue offers fans the latest on the 62nd season, including:
* It’s Showtime! – The first behind-the-scenes look at Showtime’s new series, Inside NASCAR. The new weekly series delivers fast-paced, inside-the-cockpit commentary from the sleekest set yet. Take a look at what’s in store and meet the all-star talent set for center stage.
* Get With the Program – Season predictions from FOX, ESPN, TNT, SPEED, and BET’s on-air experts.
* Catching Up With the Past – The NASCAR Hall of Fame salutes 60 years of legends, history and spectacular success on a road well-traveled. Get the first detailed look at the soon-to-open NASCAR Hall of Fame.
* Leaders of the Track – Who are the top 25 best NASCAR Spring Cup Series racers?
* Rush to Judgment – Get the latest road map to success in the 2010 chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. A graphic and statistical overview of each of the top 25 drivers in the Sprint Cup Series.
* On Tracks – Take a look at the venues that power the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. An overview of each of the NASCAR track venues, with insider map information.
* Jr.’s Season on the Brink – Dale Earnhardt Jr. is driving to win again, and putting last year’s struggles in the rearview mirror. An in-depth look at what Dale Jr. and his fans expect this season.
* Switching Gears – A special look at the debut of Danica Patrick on the stock car scene. Can the Indy sensation generate the same heat in NASCAR?
* Complete Racing Schedules – Details on all NASCAR television coverage. TV Guide PR)(3-30-2010)

Newman's release 2nd book about pets: Last weekend, Ryan Newman and wife Krissie, released their second book Pit Road: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets, the Second Lap at Bristol Motor Speedway. The book celebrates the NASCAR community and their beloved furry and sometimes even feathered families. Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets, the Second Lap, gives fans an intimate look at some of NASCAR’s most loved drivers both past and present, their families and their love for animals. Crew chiefs, broadcast personalities and the people who work behind the scenes at races each weekend are all part of this picturesque book.
“The book isn’t just the drivers,” Krissie Newman said. “We have the big personalities in the sport, but we also have a large contingent of the media broadcasters; we have the people who are behind the scenes like Jay Howard, who coordinates all of the pre-race activities; we have more team owners like Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick. This is the only book that encompasses every aspect of what racing is on a non-racing scale. And it’s really incredible to listen to the personal stories that they tell about their lives away from the racetrack.”
As the follow-up to the Newman’s first Pit Road Pets book which was published in 2006, The Second Lap even delves into the heart of NASCAR – its fans. Photographer Karen Will Rogers and a team of people traveled to three racetracks during the 2009 season – Bristol Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn and Charlotte Motor Speedway – to meet and photograph NASCAR’s devoted fans and their pets.
“When we started planning our second book, it was really a no-brainer to include the fans,” Krissie Newman said. “The fans are really the heartbeat of this sport. NASCAR has the most unique and most dedicated fans out there, and we wanted to showcase them and their personalities and their love for animals in our book. In fact, it was a chance meeting with fans that really encouraged us to help animals and start the Ryan Newman Foundation. And I can’t tell you how many fans come up to either me or Ryan to tell us about their pets or who want us to meet their dogs. It just made sense.”
The book, which sales for $24.95, is available for purchase at www.RyanNewmanFoundation.org or at the racetrack on the #39 Ryan Newman souvenir trailer. The proceeds from the first book helped build a regional spay/neuter clinic at the Humane Society of Catawba County in Hickory, N.C. To date, The Ryan Newman Foundation S.N.I.P. clinic has already performed over 13,000 spay/neuter surgeries since their doors opened in 2007, preventing the death of hundreds of thousands of unwanted and stray animals.
With the release of The Second Lap, the Ryan Newman Foundation hopes to make an even bigger impact. One hundred percent of the Ryan Newman Foundation net proceeds will be donated to animal causes such as giving grants to families that can’t afford to spay or neuter their pets. The Ryan Newman Foundation also plans to build an animal education center in North Carolina that will serve as a model for animal welfare and education throughout the U.S. For more information about the book, visit www.RyanNewmanFoundation.org.(3-22-2010)

ESPN Publishing to Release Dale Earnhardt Commemorative Bookazine: As NASCAR prepares to welcome the inaugural class into its Hall of Fame, ESPN pays tribute to Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s greatest hero, with a collector’s edition commemorative bookazine: “Dale Earnhardt: The Legend Lives” – available nationwide March 30 for $9.99. The 100-page book celebrates every step of Earnhardt’s rise through NASCAR’s ranks, from turning a wrench on his daddy’s late-model sedans to showing his youngest boy, Dale Jr., the quickest way around a track. The stories and rich photography show sides of Earnhardt rarely seen by fans, told by those who knew him best: his son, Dale Jr., his team owner, Richard Childress, his gas man, Chocolate Myers, and NASCAR’s CEO, Brian France; along with a team of the most respected motorsports writers in the business—Ed Hinton, Ryan McGee and Marty Smith, to name a few.(ESPN PR)(3-19-2010)

Book about past speedways: Speedway: Auto Racing's Ghost Tracks by S.S. Collins and Gavin D. Ireland: Around the world lies a number of long-forgotten raceways; windswept and abandoned, the derelict pit roads and crumbling concrete are all that remains of once great race tracks. From the NASCAR heartland of North Wilkesboro and Middle Georgia to the great European super speedways at Monza and Brooklands. All photographed as they are now, but remembered in their prime. More info at motorbooks.com.(2-15-2010)

NASCAR Scene to end? UPDATE merger: Another print media publication may be biting the dust. That venerable NASCAR publication Scene Daily [actually NASCAR Scene, Scene Daily is the web site], the weekly that was created back in 1982 [actually began in 1977] by legendary Rob Griggs, appears on the ropes, with its owners cutting virtually the entire staff Monday, in a stunning staff meeting. The operation is part of the Charlotte-based American City Business Journals, which is owned by Advance Publications (which also publishes Street&Smiths' various sports publications, including The Sporting News). Advance Publications is a privately-owned company led by major publisher and billionaire SI Newhouse (Vanity Fair, Vogue, The New Yorker, among other well-known publications).(mikemulhern.net), hearing NASCAR Scene will cease to exist but NASCAR Illustrated will continue. Those laid off supposedly include Steve Waid, Mike Hembree, Jeff Gluck, Rea White, David Exum, Jared Turner, David Griffith, Ben White, Mark Sluder and Shea Alexander. See more info at the Daly Planet.(1-6-2010)
UPDATE: Street & Smith’s Sports Group announced the merger of NASCAR Scene into an enhanced NASCAR Illustrated and plans to concentrate race and breaking news coverage of the sport on its Web site, scenedaily.com. Subscribers to the weekly NASCAR Scene will begin receiving the monthly NASCAR Illustrated, beginning with the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Preview Issue in February. NASCAR Illustrated will see the addition of a number of Scene’s award-winning staffers and its most popular features as it continues to offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at the country’s most popular form of motorsports. The enhanced magazine will also add coverage of NASCAR’s Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series for the first time. “We’re excited about the opportunity to offer our expanded subscriber base NASCAR Illustrated’s special look at the fun and excitement that the sport offers,” Publisher Michael J. Fresina said. “With the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in spring and what should be one of the most competitive seasons ever on the track, 2010 promises to be a special year for the sport’s fans and our readers, and we’re looking forward to it.”(SceneDaily)(1-7-2010)

dreamGEAR teams up with NASCAR: dreamGEAR announced a licensing partnership with NASCAR and is producing NASCAR-branded gaming accessories for racing video game titles on the market. Compatible with all Playstation3 (PS3) and Nintendo Wii racing games, the new NASCAR-branded dreamGEAR wheels will give gamers the feel of being on the racetrack, while showcasing the look of iconic NASCAR racecar wheels. dreamGEAR worked with NASCAR to give racing game enthusiasts an experience at every turn much like their favorite NASCAR drivers. Simulating the excitement of real-life steering wheels, the NASCAR-branded dreamGEAR wheels have a larger grip and lifelike feel than other video game wheels currently on the market. The NASCAR inspired wheel design provides a combination of aesthetics and practicality with full rubberized sidings for enhanced comfort and brackets for authentic styling. The two new NASCAR racing wheels for PS3 and Wii attach to or hold a Wii Controller or a PS3 wireless controller, making it possible for gamers to grip the wheel and simulate actual racing. Both racing wheels will be available in the first quarter of 2010 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. These new products will be introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Jan. 7 – 10, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth Central 7905 and will be available in the first quarter of 2010 at dreamGEAR.net and retail stores nationally. The Nintendo Wii and PS3 racing wheels are $14.99.(BusinessWire)(1-4-2010)

New publisher for NASCAR Yearbook UPDATE Sold Out: NASCAR fans will once again have the opportunity to recapture moments from the past season with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Yearbook as Round 5 Inc. announced today that it has been named publisher of this classic title, which is also part of the NASCAR Library Collection. The coffee-table publication includes season-ending statistics, a special preface outlining this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and an in-depth look at the final 10 races of the season that determine this year’s champion. The 224-page collectible recaps the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with in-depth editorial written by noted motorsports journalist Bob Zeller and full-color photos from today’s best sports photographers. Yearbooks can be ordered by calling (888) 460-7169, or online at round5books.com. Orders will be shipped in early December.(NASCAR)(11-7-2009)
UPDATE: The 2009 Yearbook has sold out and is not available [check eBay.com and see if anyone is selling]. There will NOT be a 2010 Press Guide by either UMI or Round 5 Book.(12-28-2009)

He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back: Mark Bechtel has written a book with perhaps the longest title in NASCAR history: He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back: The True Story of the Year the King, Jaws, Earnhardt, and the Rest of NASCAR's Feudin', Fightin' Good Ol' Boys Put Stock Car Racing on the Map (New York: Little, Brown and Company). Yes, it centers on the 1979 Daytona 500, which ended with a Richard Petty victory and a brawl between Bobby and Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough. But Bechtel goes on to tell the story of the entire 1979 season, which began with a huge snowstorm keeping viewers up and down the East Cost inside their homes, available to watch what would be one of NASCAR's more noteworthy races. In the author's view, the 1979 season marked "the birth of modern stock car racing." The book will be released in February 2010.(NASCAR This Week), more info at hachettebookgroup.com(12-27-2009)

Buddha on the Backstretch: The Spiritual Wisdom of Driving 200 MPH (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, $27) by Arlynda Boyer is both "a race fan most of her life" and "a practicing Buddhist for more than 10 years." The book offers "personal improvement via popular culture."(NASCAR This Week), to order the book or more info, see mupress.org(12-27-2009)

DVD about "the Rise of Kahne" released: Kasey Kahne Racing announced the release of a new DVD entitled "The Rise of Kahne" that documents Kasey Kahne's rise from short track racing to NASCAR superstardom. The 90-minute, documentary style DVD narrated by country music star Dierks Bentley presents fans with an insider's gaze into Kahne's life on and off the race track. Arriving just in time for the holiday season, "The Rise of Kahne" is now available for sale at www.kaseykahnestore.com for the introductory price of $19.99.
Produced by NASCAR Media Group in conjunction with Motorsports Management International and Kasey Kahne Racing, "The Rise of Kahne" follows Kahne's journey from his home state of Washington across the country to Indiana and finally to North Carolina as he battles the short track racing ranks in USAC on his high-octane drive to the elite ranks of NASCAR. Fans have a front row seat to watch Kahne charging toward his dream and chasing childhood heroes like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, all while building the skills needed to make it to the top, where he eventually becomes one of the most recognizable faces in American motorsports.
"What I like most about the DVD is that it made me reflect back about all the things that happened over the years trying to make it to NASCAR," said Kahne, an 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner and a former USAC National Midget champion. "It captures not only the good times, but also the bad times that are a big part of what everybody in this sport experiences."
Kahne's ascent to racing stardom is also a tale of committed family and loyal fans. He is a humble dirt- track prodigy that took his talent to the highest level, yet remains a down-to-earth guy today. It's a story any motorsports enthusiast won't want to miss, and a journey never to forget.
"The Rise of Kahne" DVD features sit-down interviews with Kahne and members of his family, exclusive video and photos, archival racing footage, behind-the-scenes NASCAR and World of Outlaws footage, and a special bonus features section. DVD cover artwork is available at sportssystems.com. For more information, visit www.kaseykahnestore.com.(MMI)(12-17-2009)

National Speedway Directory Co-Founder Retires: Frost Motorsports, LLC, a financial advisory firm for the motorsports industry, has acquired “National Speedway Directory” from Allan E. Brown. The deal includes Speedwaysonline.com and “The History of America’s Speedways.” Allan E. Brown will remain as a consultant to the publication. He has been associated with National Speedway Directory for over 30 years. Widely recognized as an authoritarian on the history of auto racing, Allan E. Brown has visited over 2,000 auto racing facilities. He has received the RPM Promoters Workshops prestigious “Stew Reamer Award” for lifetime service to the weekly auto racing industry. Frost Motorsports, LLC President Timothy W. Frost said, “National Speedway Directory is a highly respected publication. It is considered as the authoritative source for racing facility information. We are excited to continue the tradition, while exploring opportunities for growth.” National Speedway Directory is an information source for the motorsports industry. It prints listings of oval tracks, dragstrips, road courses, sanctions, publications, museums and race schedules. National Speedway Directory has been published annually since 1975.(PR)(12-16-2009)

New book about showcar representatives in NASCAR: Reese Garab a former Dale Earnhardt showcar representative, has released his first book, how to become a showcar driver/representative, and the life of a showcar driver/respresentative, entitled Is That a Real Race Car. A question that has been asked a thousand times, and usually followed closely by a follow-up question. "How did you get this great job?" These two questions gave him an idea for a book. This idea grew into a dream-an unwaiverable ambition to write a book about his ten year career as a showcar representative. Just released by South Shangri-La Publishing, this full color book is a behind the scenes view of what it takes to become a successful Nascar show car representative, and how to obtain such a career. Is That a Real Race Car can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or on his website, reesegarab.com.(10-31-2009)

To Indy and Beyond: The Life of Racing Legend Jack Zink: Historian and author Dr. Bob Blackburn takes readers for a fast-paced ride across the multi-faceted life of the industrialist and auto racing pioneer in To Indy and Beyond: The Life of Racing Legend Jack Zink. The 206-page book chronicles Zink's passion for racing that led him to the top of several motor sports - including two victories at the Indianapolis 500. With more than 150 photos, this is a fascinating read for fans of motor sports and Tulsa and Oklahoma history. It is also powerfully motivational, as Blackburn captures the essence of the energetic, competitive spirit that drove Jack Zink.
Product Description: Jack Zink is a legend in the world of car racing. As a driver for more than twenty years, he won stockcar races on dirt tracks, accumulated trophies in off-road dune buggies, and even set a flying mile speed record in a 1957 Pontiac he designed and built for the early NASCAR circuit. As a team leader, mechanic, and engineer, he pushed the limits of technology with his innovative designs for cars that were lighter, lower, and more powerful. Even his failures, such as the attempted use of a turbine engine in a car, opened new doors that others rushed through in the pursuit of speed and durability. Perhaps he is best remembered for his victories at the greatest track in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500. From 1950 to 1967, Jack walked shoulder to shoulder with the greatest team owners, mechanics, and drivers in racing history. Twice, his team won the coveted Borg Warner Trophy, in back-to-back Indy victories (1955 and 1956). But Jack was much more than a pioneer in car racing. He raced sailboats. He raced motorcycles. He also was a skilled engineer and businessman, ultimately building not one but two companies into international giants that still dominate the combustion industry with burners, flares, and incinerators that greatly reduce pollution. Even with all these accomplishments, Jack was most proud of his service to his community, especially the Zink Ranch, a 33,000-acre nature preserve in the Osage Hills of Oklahoma that will perpetually provide open space in an increasingly crowded and urban world. This biography weaves all of these stories into a portrait of Jack Zink. Along the way are the friends and family members who were part of the adventure, as well as the challenges and opportunities that drove him forward. Here is the story of one amazing man who lived by a simple code: "The man who wins is the man who tries."
For more info or to buy the book, go to store.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or amazon.com.(Scissortail Group PR)(10-30-2009)

NASCAR Video Recaps at Auto Dealers: The Automotive Broadcasting Network (ABN), auto retailing’s first private television network fueled by CBS, announced that the company has entered an agreement with NASCAR Media Group to deliver weekly NASCAR racing video recaps to Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota dealer-customers across the county. The two-minute videos, produced by NASCAR Media Group and seen in dealer showrooms, will feature results and updates from NASCAR’s three national series: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.(Business Wire)(9-30-2009)

Gibbs book debuts on NY Times Best Seller List:
Game Plan for Life: Your Personal Playbook for Success, the July 21 release by NFL Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs with Jerry B. Jenkins, will debut at No. 3 on the New York Times hardcover advice list on Sunday, August 9. In Game Plan for Life, Coach Gibbs shares the principles that have guided him to success in every area of his life and explains how you can make those same principles work for you.(JGR)(8-9-2009)

by Greg Fielden

by Matthew McLaughlin

Eights and Aces, the first racing novel by stock car writer Matt McLaughlin. Eights and Aces chronicles the career of a fictional racecar driver who grew up in poverty in the Carolinas with a dream of someday running the Winston Cup circuit. While Bill Hickok is entirely fictional, his story is intended as a tribute to every Winston Cup driver who worked his way up from the bullring ranks never giving up on the dream. Go to Amazon.com for more info and to order the book.

Sports Car, CART, IROC and former Cup driver Scott Pruett and his wife Judy have written a couple of childrens racing books: Twelve Little Race Cars, Twelve More Little Race Cars and Rookie Racer by World Weaver books (click on titles to check them out) A few folks have it and said their 3-6 year olds loved it.

Racing Books News Archive
Jayski's Silly Season Site Sprint Cup News Page
Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site Main Page

the Jayski site is owned and served by:

Born on Date: December 27, 1998

This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2013© All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.