#Gear Up for Stock Car Racing’s Signature Event
Whether you’re watching in-person at the Daytona International Speedway or at home from the comfort of your couch: there’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of the “Great American Race.” To celebrate the iconic 500-mile NASCAR Cup series season-opener, the Library is taking stock of its collection and taking a trip down memory lane.
#For newcomers
New to stock car auto racing? Get up to speed with The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewer’s Guide by Greg Engle. Did you know? The Speedway track is 2.5 miles long, meaning the Daytona 500 requires 200 laps to complete!
#Racing History
Whether you’re an experienced fan or looking for a great entry point, Start Your Engines: Famous Firsts in the History of NASCAR by Jay W. Pennell celebrates some of the biggest names in NASCAR history. From Richard Petty to Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson to Danica Patrick: revisit each milestone on NASCAR’s journey – from small gatherings of race car drivers to a multi-million-dollar sports industry!
Racing While Black by long-time team owner Leonard T. Miller tells the story of NASCAR’s first African-American stock car team.
#The heart and soul of racing
If you’re a longtime fan of NASCAR, you know the date February 18, 2001. On that day, Michael Waltrip broke his streak of 462 consecutive Cup race losses to win the Daytona 500. However, most people remember that race – not for who won – but for who was lost. In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything is Waltrip’s memoir but also a memorial for his friend and fellow driver, Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Tales from Pit Road by Buddy Baker is a great behind-the-scenes look at the drivers, owners, crew chiefs, and pit crews that make up the heart and soul of stock car racing.
