Men and Speed: A Wild Ride Through NASCAR's Breakout Season [Paperback]

G. Wayne Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2003

What is it that makes a man strap himself into an automobile and drive it hundreds of laps around a track at speeds surpassing 200 miles per hour? Critically acclaimed journalist G. Wayne Miller decided to find out by spending a year on the NASCAR circuit with Roush Racing's legendary owner Jack Roush and his four title-contending Winston Cup drivers: Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch. Miller plumbs the allure of speed and the exploding popularity of stock-car racing through the dramatic 2001 season, which opened with the most famous Daytona 500 in history, when NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt died as his car slammed into the wall on the final turn.

Miller takes us inside the minds and behind the wheels of the of the hottest drivers of the past two seasons, as they cope with the thrills and the dangers along the way to the Cup. Miller also takes us inside Roush Racing, a $125 million business, showing a side of NASCAR that few fans ever get to see. For longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, Men and Speed takes you for a wild ride through the fastest sport in the land.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As NASCAR auto racing gains more fans, it appears poised to pass baseball and football as America's most popular sport. Some of the reasons for NASCAR's astounding growth are outlined by Miller: speed and danger, close competition, and above all drivers to whom the fans can relate directly. In an age of overpaid prima donnas posing as stars in the stick-and-ball sports, NASCAR brings a down-home sensibility, a much more human element to the relationship between star and fanDperhaps because of stock-car racing's Southern roots. Miller's approach was to follow the NASCAR circuit for the entire seasonDcertainly not a new approach in itself as has been seen by a number of books reviewed in these pages. However, the result is quite readable and brings a perspective from outside the usual Southern enclave of writers (Miller writes for the Rhode Island Providence Journal). Also, the 2001 season that he follows was one that found the sport at both a low point from the death of a star driver and a high point in the repeat season win of a four-time champion. All are covered in this book, which captures the many nuances of the American fascination with NASCAR racing. Recommended.DEric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence, RI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...captures the many nuances of the American fascination with NASCAR racing." -- Library Journal, June 1, 2002

"If dad enjoys watching high-speed auto racing on television..., he'll certainly appreciate [this] behind-the-scenes look at the sport." -- Monterey County Herald, June 9, 2002

"It is this dance with death that journalist Miller captures in his thrilling book...not just for hard-core NASCAR fans." -- Boston Globe, July 3, 2002

"Miller surely has a bestseller on his hands...Not just for diehard racing fans; it's...about courage, perseverance and patience." -- Bob Schaller, StockCarCity.com, March 5, 2002

"Miller's insights into the economic, technological and emotional workings of a top team are fresh and valuable." -- New York Times, May 26, 2002

"Represents a new level of achievement in motorsports publishing...should be a welcome and oft-visited addition to any sports fan's library." -- Tony Johns, Racingpress.com, June 3, 2002

"The book promises to give readers a unique glimpse of the sport and its drivers." -- Las Vegas Sun, January 29, 2002

"[Miller's] approach is smooth, concise, polished, and professional--an outstanding effort...Above all it's a great book." -- Larry Manch, Racing News Online, June 3, 2002.

"an edge-of-your-seat read...Miller offers an unbiased, unobstructed view into a world few of us know." -- Providence Journal, June 2, 2002

"moving stories of bravery, winning, and defeat, and the exploration of the addictive nature of speed make this a must-read." -- Writerswrite.com, May 2, 2002. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs (June 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586481827
• ISBN-13: 978-1586481827
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,957,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Visit www.gwaynemiller.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Book Ever Written on NASCAR, April 30, 2002

By 

James Rodway "Jamie" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men and Speed: A Wild Ride Through NASCAR's Breakout Season (Hardcover)

As someone who is fortunate enough to be involved in the behind the scenes activities of stock car racing, I can tell you without hesitation that this is by far the best look into the inner workings of not only Roush Racing but of the entire sport of NASCAR. Miller has written an informative, exciting book about one of the most fascinating seasons our sport has ever known.

Miller was there when Earnhardt tragically died at Daytona and the controversy that followed. He was there when Kurt Busch, now a star in the sport, got his big break. He shared victories with Jeff Burton and anguished through the tough times with Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth. He witnessed first hand the trials and tribulations of Kevin Harvick. And he got to fly in a vintage WWII plane with Jack Roush. In other words, G. Wayne Miller was there and he takes you with him on an amazing journey over the 2001 season that you will long remember.

'Men and Speed' examines the true personalities of those obsessed with speed from one of the most interesting, entertaining, investigative writers I've ever had the pleasure to read. I highly recommend it to every fan of Roush Racing, NASCAR and especially to those who are only now discovering one of the most popular sports in America today. Buy this book!!! You won't be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this!, May 2, 2002

By 

"nh99fan" (Manchester, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men and Speed: A Wild Ride Through NASCAR's Breakout Season (Hardcover)

Just when you thought you knew just about everything that goes on in a NASCAR racing organization, Mr. Miller throws another card on the table. There are several books about NASCAR in general, and a handful that details the lives of only the highest profiled drivers. All of them are good books, but none have masterfully captured the heart and soul of the subjects like MEN AND SPEED.

The attention to detail is astonishing. So much so that the reader will feel like they are right there during the moment. I constantly had to remind myself that this is NOT a fictional account. It is not often that you find a book that won't let you put it down. MEN AND SPEED can easily be added to that prestigious list. Mr. Miller has found an ingenious way to bring this amazing year of Roush Racing's triumphs and struggles to all levels of readers. If you have never followed NASCAR, this is the perfect introduction. If you have been a fan for many years, this is the perfect companion.

Mr. Miller superbly takes his first hand experiences with the Roush Racing organization and paints a no holds barred picture of what goes on beyond what the television cameras show us each week. Through this book, one cannot help but feel closer to Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Jack Roush and all who support them, in a way that could have never been imagined. I found myself laughing at Jeff's comical antics and comments, feeling Mark's anguish over the fans and journalists who called him a quitter, calmed by the quiet, mild mannered Matt, agreeably frustrated along with Kurt about his performances and lack of meeting his own expectations, and left in absolute awe over this incredible machine that Jack has built and nurtured. I now have a better understanding of the addiction to speed.

If you have ever had any doubts about reading a book about NASCAR, let those doubts dissolve with MEN AND SPEED! You will not be disappointed! This is definitely a book that has been long overdue for NASCAR fans, Roush Racing fans and those just now discovering America's fastest growing sport! Kudos to Mr. Miller for a job well done!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read..., June 4, 2002

By 

"onthemoney" (suwanee, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men and Speed: A Wild Ride Through NASCAR's Breakout Season (Hardcover)

I am a new Nascar fan and looked to this book as a way to get behind the scenes of one of the sport's best teams. It was great! A highly entertaining read, the reader gets "backstage" passes into the life and times of the Jack Roush racing team. You get an inside look at what it takes to be a driver, the highs and lows, and also learn that being a driver is not all roses. This is a particularly tough year for the Roush team and the reader can feel the unfulfilled expectations and frustrations. In fact, not one of these talented drivers had the kind of year that was anticipated.
A superb book for both Nascar fans and people who enjoy going behind the scenes and learning about how an industry works.