NASCAR’s Legacy In Print
Every NASCAR fan loves the thrill of the track, but there’s a whole world of stories and insights waiting beyond race day. Some books bring that energy to life, giving fans a deeper look at the sport they love. These reads capture the drama and personalities that define NASCAR. Here’s a list of 20 books every racing fan should read at least once to truly appreciate the sport’s heart and heritage.
1. Driving With The Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, And The Birth Of Nascar By Neal Thompson
Through Driving with the Devil, Neal Thompson reveals NASCAR’s unlikely birth. Southern bootleggers, armed with fast cars and sharper instincts, transformed law-defying escapes into organized races. His book captures how those reckless nights laid the groundwork for a massive American sport.
Driving with the Devil by NativeIntelligence1
2. He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back By Mark Bechtel
While NASCAR drivers may trade paint and payback on the track, their fierce rivalries often mask surprising friendships in the garage. Bechtel's insider account explores this fascinating duality and highlights the sport's wildest feuds and clashes alongside the unexpected bonds forged through competition's intense pressure cooker.
Freewheeling Daredevil on Wikimedia
3. The Physics Of NASCAR By Diandra Leslie-Pelecky
Let Leslie-Pelecky be your scientific pit crew chief, guiding you beyond the spectator stands into NASCAR's fascinating physics lab. Through real racing examples, she demystifies how aerodynamics and tire pressure management work together and tells the science behind bump drafting that transforms raw speed into a winning strategy.
4. Racing To The Finish: My Story By Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In this candid memoir, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up about the hidden struggles behind his racing career—particularly his battle with concussions and the difficult decision to step away from the sport he loved. More than just a driver’s tale, it’s an honest look at resilience, recovery, and redefining identity beyond the track.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Talks His New Book, "Racing To The Finish: My Story" by BUILD Series
5. Driver #8 By Dale Earnhardt Jr. And Jade Gurss
Through Jade Gurss's sharp journalistic lens and Dale Jr.'s raw personal revelations, this dual-voiced memoir captures the intensity of a rookie season in NASCAR's spotlight. From the weight of the Earnhardt legacy to breakthrough victories and fan connections, readers experience both the analytical and emotional journey.
6. Tim Richmond: The Fast Life And Remarkable Times Of Nascar's Top Gun By David Poole
Behind the dazzling facade of NASCAR's most flamboyant driver lay a complex story of triumph and tribulation. David Poole's biography reveals how Tim Richmond's Hollywood-style charisma electrified racing crowds. Personal battles and controversy shadowed his remarkable career, and his swift rise to fame met a heartbreaking conclusion.
Tim Richmond Talks About His Career in August 1986 Interview by Tim Richmond Archive
7. Miracle: Bobby Allison And The Saga Of The Alabama Gang By Peter Golenbock
Who knew a small corner of Alabama would birth one of NASCAR's most legendary racing dynasties? Bobby Allison and the Alabama Gang captured hearts across the racing world through their remarkable achievements. Peter Golenbock chronicles their rise from grassroots competitors to national superstars.
Bobby Allison's best career moments | NASCAR Legends by NASCAR
8. In The Blink Of An Eye By Michael Waltrip
In his memoir, Michael Waltrip reflects on years spent racing alongside Dale Earnhardt Sr. Their bond reached its peak during the 2001 Daytona 500, where Waltrip’s long-awaited victory turned tragic after the loss of the man who championed his career.
Michael Waltrip: In the Blink of An Eye - part 2? by Ellis Henican
9. Let 'Em All Go! By Chris Economaki
Known as the godfather of motorsports journalism, Chris Economaki's pioneering legacy shines through in Let 'Em All Go!, a treasure trove of his most insightful columns and firsthand accounts. His unique perspective chronicles NASCAR's evolution while capturing the personalities and pivotal moments that transformed the sport.
Chris Economaki Interview UnCut on the MG Cars Channel - by MG Cars Channel
10. A Celebration Of 50 Years Of NASCAR By Bob Latford
Want to decode NASCAR's fascinating fifty-year journey? Let statistician Bob Latford, the mastermind behind the sport's championship points system, lead you through this detailed exploration. It pairs comprehensive data with rich storytelling to reveal how America's favorite motorsport evolved and flourished.
NASCAR Collectibles with Bob Latford - 1992 NASCAR Video Magazine by Classic Northeast Auto Racing
11. The Intimidator By Frank Vehorn
They didn't call him "The Intimidator" for nothing—Dale Earnhardt's aggressive driving style became legendary in NASCAR circles. In this revealing biography, Frank Vehorn tracks how a determined kid grew into racing's most fearsome competitor by following his remarkable journey from childhood to stardom until his tragic 2001 demise.
Here's Why HE Was NASCAR's Most FEARED Driver by 4 Wheels Chronicles
12. Awesome Bill From Dawsonville By Bill Elliott And Chris Millard
Co-author Chris Millard masterfully charts how a humble Georgia boy evolved into NASCAR's speed king. Bill Elliott's autobiography explores each transformative step—from local dirt tracks to record-breaking runs at Talladega and Daytona. Through it all, his family's guiding influence remains front and center.
13. Hard Driving: The Wendell Scott Story By Brian Donovan
When NASCAR finally acknowledged Wendell Scott's victory hours after his historic race win, it highlighted the discrimination he faced as the sport's first African American champion. Brian Donovan's definitive biography, Hard Driving, brings Scott's journey to life by documenting his groundbreaking triumphs in a segregated sport.
14. The Ghosts Of Nascar By John Havick
Raymond Parks dreamed of NASCAR glory, but he found himself caught between two seismic controversies that defined the sport’s coming-of-age. Havick’s book revisits the hotly contested finish of the first Daytona 500 in 1959 and the scandal-plagued drama at Atlanta International Raceway during the turbulent 1960s.
Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash @ Daytona by NascarAllOut
15. 100 Things NASCAR Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die By Jim McLaurin
Whether you're new to NASCAR or a longtime follower looking to level up your fandom, Jim McLaurin's book takes you on a complete journey. It moves from basic trivia through fascinating historical milestones to insider must-do experiences. With its essential 100-point knowledge path, it turns casual spectators into true racing aficionados.
Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash @ Dayton by NascarAllOut
16. Daytona: From The Birth Of Speed To The Death Of The Man In Black By Ed Hinton
Hinton takes readers back to Daytona’s beginnings on open sand before charting its transformation into NASCAR’s signature track. The book ends with 2001’s heartbreaking finale, when Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash cast a shadow over the sport’s proudest stage.
These Were Dale Earnhardt’s Final Words by Did You Catch This?
17. A Little Bit Sideways By Scott Huler
Like many outsiders, Scott Huler initially viewed NASCAR with skepticism, but his journey into the heart of stock car racing culture changed everything. By immersing himself in races and traditions, he discovered the genuine appeal that draws millions to the sport and shared his thoughts through insightful commentary.
A Taste of Science - Lightning Talks with Scott Huler by North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
18. NASCAR 75 Years By Al Pearce
With insight born from years in motorsport, Pearce reveals the stories behind NASCAR’s rise. From its earliest races to today’s cultural phenomenon, the book highlights iconic drivers and the evolution of a sport that roars across America’s tracks.
19. The Wildest Ride: A History Of NASCAR By Joe Menzer
Through the lens of NASCAR's most unforgettable characters, Joe Menzer weaves together the untamed tales that built America's fastest sport. His vivid portraits of drivers and promoters tell how larger-than-life personalities changed backroad racing into a national spectacle of speed and showmanship.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters by GoPRNLive
20. Full Throttle: The Life And Fast Times Of Racing Legend Curtis Turner By Robert Edelstein
Behind the wheel, Curtis Turner dazzled fans as one of NASCAR's earliest superstars, but it was his off-track rebellions that truly defined him. Edelstein's riveting biography weaves together Turner's fearless racing style with his legendary parties and controversial push to unionize drivers, which got him banned.
