One of the most evocative eras in the history of American motorsport was the golden age of dirt-track racing, when hairy-knuckled drivers duked it out in open-wheel racers on half-mile ovals around the country. This photographic history spans the classic era from 1946 to 1970, featuring vintage photography of the Champ and Sprint cars that were driven by men like A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Roger Ward and Bobby Unser for very little monetary reward. The technologies of the most successful and unusual cars are discussed as are specific races, circuits and some of the more colorful personalities of the period. Midget and track roadsters are also featured, along with period color photography.
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About the Author
Joe Scalzo's four decades of racing passion have taken him around the world and resulted in 13 books, thousands of magazine and newspaper features, and a wide reputation as one of the sport's most original and insightful chroniclers. Scalzo lives and works in Southern California.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dirt track passion,
By Rand Thompson (Cement City, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: American Dirt Track Racer (Hardcover)
Joe Scalzo has a lot of passion for the drivers and cars of American championship dirt racing which is obvious when you open the book. The photos in the book are outstanding even though I have seen some of them before. A lot of good color photos when black and white was much more common for the times. Pretty similar to the Indy roadster book, so if you liked that one I can easily recommend this one. This book brought me back to the golden era of dirt tracks with such legends as Troy Ruttman, Jimmy Bryan,Jud Larson,AJ Foyt,Tony Bettenhausen, Unser's, and all the other greats.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dirt and Speed,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: American Dirt Track Racer (Hardcover)
Four wheels, body and engine--driver and machine in synchronization with power. The stands were small, the wind stifling and filled with clods which disengrated into dust as the afternoon wore on--the world of dirt track racing at its best. The track was ready for racing when it was as hot as Mama Unser's chili.
Nash walked to his pickup from the observer's stand, and removed his sunglasses. Two white circles revealed his eyes in a face black with particles of dirt and rubber. It had been a fine afternoon with the best. For race fans who live near a small dirt track or remember when they dotted the landscape Joe Scalzo's love of racing flows through every page and photograph of "The American Dirt Track Racer." Lets go racing becomes not a phrase but a lifetime. Enjoy every page, every work of this beautiful memorial. Nash Black, author of "Qualifying Laps" and "Sins of the Fathers."
5.0 out of 5 stars
GO FAST AND TURN LEFT !,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: American Dirt Track Racer (Hardcover)
If you were aroung during this period you will relive the real dirt racers of our past. If you are new to racing and want to see what some of the greats had to drive to survive this book will help.
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
It's 1962-the 11th season of 1951-1971's banner binge of dirt track racing-and another great year to be alive. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dirt track highway, dirt champ cars, marble orchard, dirt tracking, dirt racing, sprint car racing, dirt track racing, front straightaway, dirt highway, hot laps, dirt car, sprint cars, chief mechanic, race driver Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bob Tronolone, Jud Larson, Hoosier Hundred, Dean Van Lines, Jimmy Bryan, Leader Card, Don Branson, Eddie Sachs, Johnny Thomson, Rodger Ward, Terre Haute, Tony Bettenhausen, Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, Wally Meskowski, Bowes Seal Fast, Bobby Unser, Bruce Craig, Troy Ruttman, Elmer George, Jim Hurtubise, Jim Lunt, Lover Boy, Mike Nazaruk, Bobby Marshman New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
It's 1962-the 11th season of 1951-1971's banner binge of dirt track racing-and another great year to be alive. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dirt track highway, dirt champ cars, marble orchard, dirt tracking, dirt racing, sprint car racing, dirt track racing, front straightaway, dirt highway, hot laps, dirt car, sprint cars, chief mechanic, race driver Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bob Tronolone, Jud Larson, Hoosier Hundred, Dean Van Lines, Jimmy Bryan, Leader Card, Don Branson, Eddie Sachs, Johnny Thomson, Rodger Ward, Terre Haute, Tony Bettenhausen, Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, Wally Meskowski, Bowes Seal Fast, Bobby Unser, Bruce Craig, Troy Ruttman, Elmer George, Jim Hurtubise, Jim Lunt, Lover Boy, Mike Nazaruk, Bobby Marshman New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
- Mr. Nice Guy by Jay Jones on page 132
- Las Vegas by Andreas Schmidt on page 99
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