The Wildest Ride: A History of NASCAR (or, How a Bunch of Good Ol' Boys Built a Billion-Dollar Industry out of Wrecking Cars)In The Wildest Ride, Joe Menzer gives us a timely, comprehensive look at the dramatic, rollicking history of stock-car racing in America, exploring both its inauspicious bootlegging beginnings and the billion-dollar industry that it has become. Menzer straps the reader into the driver's seat for a run through NASCAR's history, revealing the sport's remarkable rise from rogue outfit to corporate darling. Menzer also profiles the many superstar drivers who have dominated the sport, men as unpredictable as they are fearless, including "The Intimidator," Dale Earnhardt, whose ferocious driving made him NASCAR's signature personality -- and whose tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500 was mourned by millions. Menzer expertly maneuvers through the tight corners and wide-open straightaways of NASCAR's history, examining the circuit's attempt to distance itself from its "redneck racin'" past without compromising its country roots. Simultaneously rowdy and insightful, The Wildest Ride is a thorough and unfailingly honest account of NASCAR's amazing rise to prominence and a sweeping account of a uniquely American phenomenon. |
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Adam Petty asked auto racing Big Bill France Bobby Allison Bristol Cale Yarborough called car owner career Chevrolet circuit crew chief Curtis Turner Dale Earnhardt Dale Jr Darrell Waltrip Daytona 500 dirt track dollars Donnie Allison drivers drove Earnhardt Jr Elliott engine event Evernham fans father finished second Fireball Roberts Flock Ford garage area Gordon Grand National guys happened Humpy Wheeler infield Jarrett Joe Weatherly Junior Johnson knew Kulwicki laps later Lee Petty Leonard look miles per hour moonshine Muhleman NASCAR Ned Jarrett needed never North Carolina Panch Petty's pit crew points championship race car racers racetrack Ribbs Richard Petty Richmond ride rookie season Shuford speed sponsor sport star started stock car racing superspeedway talked Talladega thing thought tires told took truck trying turn Victory Lane wanted wheel Winston Cup Winston Cup race Wood brothers wreck