NASCAR For Dummies [Paperback]

Mark Martin (Author), Beth Tuschak (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: February 4, 2005

Covers the latest drivers, records, and rule changes

All-new color photos highlight the fun and excitement of NASCAR

Ever wonder what's under the hood of today's stock cars? Want to know the latest about the changes in NASCAR? Top driver Mark Martin puts you behind the wheel on an insider's tour of NASCAR, offering great insights into the new drivers, sponsorship changes, safety requirements, and racing schedule — helping you get more out of every race you watch!

Discover how to:

• Understand the rules, regulations, and standings
• Identify driver skills and racing strategies
• Get up to speed on NASCAR lingo
• Enjoy racing from the stands and on TV
• Locate NASCAR tracks near you

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like its teammates in the Dummies series, NASCAR for Dummies is cleverly organized and clearly focused. Winston Cup Series driver Mark Martin is in the driver's seat, providing a speedy tour through America's fastest-growing sport. In typical Dummies style, NASCAR for Dummies is filled with fun stuff such as lists of the 10 greatest drivers of all time, the 10 can't-miss races, and 10 future stars. It also contains plenty of information--from what NASCAR stands for and what makes a stock car a stock car to the rules of Pit Road and quick overviews of the 21 racetracks that host Winston Cup Series races. There's even good, practical advice about attending races (secure lodging well in advance, decide between infield and grandstand tickets, etc.) and pointers on how to best appreciate the televised races. After reading this book, you'll have no trouble qualifying as a NASCAR fan. --Sunny Delaney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Expert tips for spectators, from where to sit and what to watch to picking a winner and getting the best deals on souvenirs.

Complete coverage of NASCAR Winston Cup series tracks -- with Mark Martin's top track picks.

An inside look at the business of stock car racing, from snagging sponsors to logging the best licensing deals.

Exciting personal anecdotes and racing stories from veteran driver Mark Martin.

16 pages of full-color photos that capture the excitement. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (February 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076457681X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764576812
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,248,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for all NASCAR fans - new and old alike!, January 10, 2002

By 

Vincent J Pia (Danbury, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NASCAR for Dummies (Paperback)

NASCAR for Dummies is definitely a "must read" for any NASCAR fan. It is the perfect book for those who are new to NASCAR... and is packed with information which even a veteran fan will appreciate.

You'll find in-depth information about a variety of topics, from car tech to how qualifying works... from how points are awarded to what some of the rules and regulations are. You'll find information about all of the different NASCAR Series, how sponsorship works, how to contact your favorite driver - or even get an autograph. There's even advice and tips for attending races in person.

The book is also loaded with NASCAR stats on different drivers, tracks and some of the sports history.

The best part about this book is that it is not written by a bystander, rather, it is written by one of the top drivers in the sport. Mark Martin is able to provide you with a view of NASCAR which I have not seen in any other book thus far.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Can Do It All!, February 13, 2000

By 

wjo4244 (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NASCAR for Dummies (Paperback)

Mark is an awesome driver and now he's written an awesome book! I've been a NASCAR fan for several years and this book helps answer some of the questions I've had about the sport. Mark gives info on tracks, drivers, rules and how a stock car runs. I recommend this book to all NASCAR fans, male or female, those new to the sport or those who have been following it for years. GO MARK!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Turn left and hit the gas, September 17, 2005

By 

David A. Baer (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: NASCAR For Dummies (Paperback)

My boss once jokingly told that's what NASCAR is about: turn left and hit the gas.

Then I went to the Alllstate 400 at the Brickyard and now I've read Mark Martin's NASCAR FOR DUMMIES. It's looking a little more complicated than fast left turns.

The author's enthusiasm for the sport of NASCAR racing is contagious. As the driver of the Viagra-sponsored car #6 in the Nextel Cup series, he ought to know what he's talking about from the inside out and about 188 mph.

Chapter 1 ('NASCAR Racing-the best sport around', pp. 9-24) tells you how men (well, mostly men) driving cars that look vaguely like your father's Taurus ended up racing them around oval tracks in front of millions of spectators and television viewers and why you couldn't possibly not be excited about this. Like most professional sports, NASCAR has acquired corporate sponsors. It is arguably the most logo-plastered sport in the world, a fact that Martin explores in 'The Big Business of NASCAR' (ch. 2, pp. 25-34). Martin convinces you that that's a good thing, and before you know it, you know the primary car sponsors as well as the drivers and their car numbers.

The rest of the book takes you from zero to sixty in a fairly easy stretch of reading. If, like me, you started this book after attending a race or two and just getting at toe-hold on the sport, you won't end up an expert. But you'll be in good shape to understand the basics of every major area of the sport and to learn more as your exposure grows.

Mark Martin is not a great writer, but you don't buy the Dummies series for great writing. You buy Tolstoy if you want great writing. What Martin effectively does is lets you know that there's a whole lot more to NASCAR racing than you thought when you got yourself into this, but that you can learn a fair chunk of it pretty quickly. It's also organized as a handy reference book for when you need to go back to look up a topic you breezed over a little quickly on the first go-around.

I bought this book because there's a strong NASCAR culture in the company I joined. My boss sponsors the 18, driven by Bobby Labonte. See, I knew how to say that right. You can too. Buy the book.