cover image NASCAR Now

NASCAR Now

Timothy Miller, Steve Milton. Firefly Books, $19.95 (160pp) ISBN 978-1-55297-829-0

NASCAR racing is currently so popular that, according to the authors, one Nextel Cup race draws more fans than the Super Bowl, a World Series baseball game and an NBA Finals game combined. All this is a far cry from the early days of stock car racing, when drivers rushed around oval dirt tracks in rural areas on Saturday nights before local fans. The authors offer a complete, up-to-the-minute introduction to NASCAR for new fans as well as a keepsake for dedicated fans. Like the well-oiled machines they describe, Miller and Milton race through various aspects of NASCAR racing. After taking the starting flag with a brief introduction and history of the sport, they barrel through topics ranging from safety and pit stops to officials, points, scoring and the business of NASCAR. They include diagrams of all the major tracks on the circuit, and in brief vignettes, they offer overviews of the top teams, top drivers and legends of the sport, and provide pointers on drivers to watch. Full-color photos.