Start Your Engines! Web Addendum

By Eric C. Shoaf -- Library Journal, 5/1/2006

(See also Start Your Engines!)

NASCAR History

Hagstrom, Robert. The NASCAR Way: The Business That Drives the Sport. Wiley. 2001. 256p. index. ISBN 0-471-39920-5. pap. $19.95.

The author of The Warren Buffet Way examines NASCAR’s financial success as a $2 billion industry. Corporate sponsorship and television coverage are important and fans, far from seeming to mind the advertising approach, appear to embrace it.

McReynolds, Larry with Bob Zeller. Larry McReynolds: The Big Picture: My Life from Pit Road to the Broadcast Booth. David Bull. 2002. 401p. photogs. index. ISBN 1-893618-21-8. $24.95.

McReynolds’s long career as a crew chief, including a stint with superstar Dale Earnhardt, and his work as a television commentator have made him a recognized presence. His lessons about focusing on the big picture, especially in the face of setbacks, are applicable in all areas of life.

Miller, G. Wayne. Men and Speed: A Wild Ride Through NASCAR’s Breakout Season. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 2002. 332p. photos. ISBN 1-58648-096-0. $26. pap. 2003. ISBN 1-58648-182-7. $16.50.

Offering an outsider’s perspective, a Northeastern sports writer followed the NASCAR circuit for the 2001 season and captures the many nuances of the American fascination with the sport. (LJ 6/1/02)

Woody, Larry. Along for the Ride: A Collection of Stories from the Fast and Furious World of NASCAR. Sports Publishing. 2003. 190p. photos. ISBN 1-58261-696-5. $19.95.

A veteran racing writer gathers some of his best stories from 33 years on the racing circuit. A bit of a hodgepodge, but an easy book to thumb through as every page has some sort of tall racing tale.

NASCAR For Kids

Starred Buckley, James, Jr. NASCAR (DK Eyewitness Books). DK Publishing. 2005. 72p. photos. index. ISBN 0-7566-1193-8. $15.99.

Aimed at children ages 8-12 years, this first-rate heavily illustrated introduction to the sport covers car design and specifications, tracks, drivers, the scoring system, and history.

Starred Fresina, Michael (text) & Mark Anderson (illus.) For the Love of NASCAR: An A-Z Primer for NASCAR Fans of All Ages. Triumph Bks.. 2005. 48p. illus. ISBN 1-57243-732-4. $16.95.

For readers of all ages, this is a tongue-in-cheek look at NASCAR drivers, history, and fans. The A to Z approach and hilarious caricatures will keep children interested and bring a smile to adults as well.

NASCAR Photography

NASCAR’s Best Shots: The Greatest Photography in NASCAR History. DK. 2004. 160p. illus. ISBN 0-7566-0581-4. $30. pap. 2006. ISBN 0-7566-1745-6. $16.95.

From early days at Daytona to the 2003 Winston Cup winner, this book captures the pageantry of the NASCAR experience in full color.

NASCAR Scene eds. A Week in the Life of NASCAR: A View from Within. Triumph Bks. 2005. illus. 168p. ISBN 1-57243-794-4. $29.95.

Devoted to one entire week on the NASCAR circuit, the book follows the action in and around the race at Talledega Superspeedway. The editors were given special access and the results are clear in the excellent behind-the-scenes photography. (LJ 1/06)

DVDS

Days of Thunder. color. 107 min. Tony Scott, dist. by Paramount. 1999. $12.98.

Starring Tom Cruise, this 1990 film about a hot-shot NASCAR driver involves way too much bumping and grinding on the track to be true to life. Rapid-fire action featuring female doctor/love interest, and the wizened crew chief does have appeal.

Stroker Ace. color. 94 min. Hal Needham, dist. by Warner Home Video. 1998. $9.98.

In this 1983 release, Burt Reynolds stars as a conceited stock car racer and romancer. Inoffensive and even entertaining in parts, but it should have been better.

NASCAR on the Web

www.howstuffworks.com/nascar.htm

An excellent site for the younger set, it explains with pictures and cut-aways how a NASCAR racing car is built, how it works, which parts interact, and how the driver manages it all.