Bill France Jr

Former NASCAR president, chairman, and CEO William Clifton France—known to most people at Bill France Jr.—is remembered and revered as the man who followed his visionary father at the helm of NASCAR, in the process becoming a visionary himself as he guided NASCAR to unprecedented levels of popularity. The biography covers Bill Jr.'s role in NASCAR's formative years; his assumption of the NASCAR presidency, replacing his father; the sports' explosion under his leadership; his courageous battle with cancer throughout the last decade of his life; and his final role, as NASCAR vice chairman and main advisor to NASCAR's third generation leader, his son, Chairman and CEO Brian France.

The first major authorized biography of NASCAR founder, Bill France Sr. Big Bill is the consummate "insider" book on the life and legend of NASCAR founder Bill France and tells the tale of a classic American success story. France Sr. brought his family to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934, put down roots and immersed himself in the business of racing, both as a driver and an owner. Nicknamed "Big Bill" because of his 6-foot-5 stature, he made significant contributions to the racing world - he founded NASCAR in December 1947, built Daytona International Speedway in 1959 and built Talladega Superspeedway in 1969, and landed the landmark R.J. Reynolds/Winston sponsorship deal in 1971 that not only transformed NASCAR but also transformed corporate sponsorship of sports in America. The France family has spent the last 30 years gathering a vast collection of files and material about their family patriarch and has turned over countless interviews -- both written and taped -- as well as NASCAR documents, memorabilia, memos, letters and various other materials to the author for this definitive biography. Big Bill offers NASCAR fans a rich, entertaining, emotional, and detailed story about America's most recognized and admired racing family.

This two-volume encyclopedia is the Daytona 500 of stock car racing books—an essential "Bible" that provides an all-encompassing history of the sport as well as an up-to-date examination of modern-day stock car racing. How did stock car racing become firmly entrenched in American pop culture, especially in light of the lack of interest in motorsports overall as a spectator activity in the United States? And what has been the secret to NASCAR's financial success and growth over the last six decades? Encyclopedia of Stock Car Racing highlights approximately 250 subjects that have defined the sport since stock car racing was first organized. Organized in A-Z order, it covers all of the greatest drivers, such as Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, Junior Johnson, and David Pearson; the special races such as the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400; and the famed tracks across the country, from Bristol Motor Speedway to Darlington Raceway to Talladega Superspeedway. This unprecedented resource collects information about every element of NASCAR history in one place: the early personalities who shaped the sport and set things in motion, the past greats who have now retired, and today's rising stars who continue to make stock car racing one of the most popular sports in the United States.

The only book-length account of the life of Wendell Scott, the one-time moonshine runner who broke the color barrier in stock-car racing in 1952 and, against all odds, competed for more than 20 years in a sport dominated by Southern whites. Hard Driving is the story of one man's determination to live the life he loved, and to compete at the highest level of his sport. When Wendell Scott became NASCAR's version of Jackie Robinson in the segregated 1950s, some speedways refused to let him race. Scott appealed directly to the sport's founder, NASCAR czar Bill France Sr., who promised that NASCAR would treat him without prejudice. For the next two decades, Scott chased a dream whose fulfillment depended on France backing up that promise. France reneged on his pledge, but Scott did receive inspiring support from white drivers who admired his skill and tenacity, such as NASCAR champions Ned Jarrett and Richard Petty.

NASCAR's foremost female authority provides the first guide for women to America's fastest growing spectator sport. From shopping to scanners and pit stops to parties, this fun and informative guide gives you everything you need to enjoy a race, whether at the track or in your living room. Insider Liz Allison will tell you all the ins and outs of NASCAR, uncovering the hidden rules and official calls made on any given race day. She answers nagging questions like why race cars don't have speedometers or doors that open, what the real deal is on restrictor plates, and how top drivers get to be where they are. Liz also reveals driver superstitions, how to survive a race weekend with kids, the Gentlemen's Agreement, how to tell if a driver is serious with his girlfriend, tips on throwing the perfect NASCAR viewing party, and much more. With this race-savvy guide, you will quickly become a knowledgeable fan with an inside edge on the sport that most of your male counterparts will lack-and have a few laughs along the way.

"He was with me tonight. I dedicate this win to him."--Dale Earnhardt, Jr. After winning the Daytona 500 a year after his father died racing on the same track. Racing is in the blood. Perhaps more than any other sport, stock car racing boasts a tradition of dynasties, multiple generations of superstars. From the Pettys and the Jarretts to the Earnhardts and the Labontes, this action-packed, photo-filled tribute honors those who keep it all in the family. Here are the grandfather, fathers, sons, and brothers who have made--and continue to make--motorcar history on the high-banked tracks of the Winston Cup Series. Among those who consistently deliver heart stopping performances in this thrilling dangerous sport are the France family, whose paterfamilias "Big Bill" France founded NASCAR, the Waltrips, Bodines, Andrettis, and many others.

"William H. Sewell, Jr. turns to the experience of commercial capitalism to show how the commodity form abstracted social relations. The increased independence, flexibility, and anonymity of market relations made equality between citizens not only conceivable but attractive. Commercial capitalism thus found its way into the interstices of this otherwise rigidly hierarchical society, coloring social relations and paving the way for the establishment of civic equality"--

“A book that should be required reading for everyone who considers themselves to be a NASCAR fan” from the author of Full Throttle (SB Nation). NASCAR Legends traces the story of stock car racing through the courageous, record-breaking drivers who made it the number one spectator sport in America. NASCAR’s sixty-year history is rich with varied lore about heroic racers, incredible races, and love of family. There are profiles of true NASCAR stars: Bill France; Bobby and Davey Allison; Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; Tony Stewart; Richard, Kyle, and Adam Petty, among other legends of the speedway. TV Guide motorsports reporter Robert Edelstein’s painstaking journalistic work, combined with his encyclopedic knowledge and love of the sport, make NASCAR Legends an essential book for anyone drawn to the roaring magic of the track. “A true delight to read, and the writing in each chapter is pitch-perfect. Not only did it educate me, but it entertained me. It will stay on my bookshelf as a handy source of reference or a refresher on history, too.” —SB Nation