True Speed: My Racing Life [Hardcover]

Tony Stewart (Author), Mark Bourcier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2002

Some people probably wish Tony Stewart would just shut up and drive. His detractors think he has a big mouth and is prone to temper tantrums. But, really, #20's problem is that he's too honest and, as Tony says, "in this sport, honesty can get you in a lot of trouble."But you can't take the drive out of the man. Tony Stewart is one of the most controversial stars to hit the Winston Cup scene, famous for his four-letter outbursts and badass behavior. In "True Speed, he takes you on a no-holds-barred trip around the track, to the pit stop, and behind the scenes.NASCAR's 1999 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year has been penalized, slammed, and knocked around. He has spun out Jeff Gordon's car -- on pit road no less. He has had shouting matches, brawls, and heated "discussions" with other drivers and NASCAR officials. He has clashed with reporters, sometimes physically, all the while maintaining one of his core principles: honesty. "I'm not always the easiest guy to interview. But I do think I'm one of the most honest, and that's not going to change."Stewart will not accept defeat. He knows that he wasn't born to be a loser, and he justifies it with stark honesty between these pages. "True Speed, told by Tony himself, discusses it all: from playing with Matchbox cars to actually racing go-karts, midgets, and stock cars.In "True Speed Tony doesn't only talk about the simple details of the tracks or the cars, he discusses the science of the race: the machines, the brakes, the tires, and the tracks. He also describes the mental and physical challenges he has to endure on every ride, the head games the job can play on him, the claustrophobia he suffers from, as well as the lifestyle and pressures ofthe job.In three full seasons of competition in the NASCAR Winston Cup series, Tony Stewart has compiled one of the most impressive records in series history. But "True Speed tells more than Tony's NASCAR tale. His reputation was made in midgets and sprints and Silver Crown cars; later, in 1997 and 1998, he established himself as an Indy Racing League star. He recounts his open-wheel days fondly and in great detail.Tony Stewart's story is one of a gritty racing life: fast, uncompromising, and nothing less than a checkered flag.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

One of today's top race-car drivers, Stewart worked his way up from racing go-karts at small local tracks to racing open-wheel formula vehicles at the Indianapolis 500, finally becoming a champion NASCAR stock car driver. This autobiographical account, coauthored with noted racing journalist Bourcier, is interspersed with 75 black-and-white photographs and relevant quotes from people close to Stewart his mom, his girlfriend, members of his racing team, other famous drivers, and so forth. Having originally flourished in the South, NASCAR has become increasingly popular throughout the United States over the last decade. Still, 400 pages is a lot of text about a 30-year-old athlete, no matter how accomplished. Most editions of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin are significantly fewer pages and cover a much more interesting and important life. Despite these reservations, NASCAR fans will be interested. For sports collections. John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Stewart, only 30 years old, inhabits the upper echelon of the car-racing world, but his ascent to the top has hardly been meteoric. He began racing go-karts as a child and won his first national race at 12, eventually moving on to USAC sprint races and finally to the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, where he was the 1999 Rookie of the Year. His as-told-to autobiography fits comfortably into the genre, combining an overview of his career with comments from family, peers, and media sprinkled throughout. The controversy that has followed Stewart, thanks to his sometimes outspoken interviews, is partially evident here, as he tackles some of racing's more vexing issues and emerges as a refreshingly candid alternative to the surprisingly bland, politically correct world of contemporary big-time auto racing. Dozens of black-and-white photos, many from Stewart's adolescent racing days, complement the text. Expect considerable demand. Stewart is a major star in a very popular sport. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment; 1 edition (April 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060188170
• ISBN-13: 978-0060188177
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Genuine and Easy-Going...No air-brush here, Folks!, April 20, 2002

By 

dara2K "dara2K" (United States of America) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: True Speed: My Racing Life (Hardcover)

This book truly reflects Tony Stewart. I was expecting a brash, four-letter word filled, "racy" tale (pun intended!). I was expecting a slick, glossy commercial and carefully edited "seller". Well, there was no air-brushing here, folks! This book has brain and heart. While describing, in racing detail, the road to his success, Tony Stewart and significant others personalize and reflect upon their thoughtful reactions to the chronology. I was convinced of the honest, genuine, easy-going style of the book. All photos are in black and white giving a "scrapbook" feeling to the layout. Every fan of Tony's knows he describes himself as a driver, not the media darling image created around other "famous" drivers. In this book, you feel as if this driver is sitting on the back porch with you recounting for your ears only. This book is convincing that Tony's choice not to join the "cookie-cutter commercialism" of media Nascar Star just doesn't fit his style or personality. At the age of 30, Tony Stewart has already made his mark in just about every vehicle with wheels. Reading this account explains to every fan Tony's blunt honesty is the real deal! The book cover design is a hint to the unsophisticated, honest portrait of a Nascar Champion in the making. The story the way it actually happened not the way the money-makers want to feed it to you! This is indeed "True Speed"..no gimmicks....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Tony, August 25, 2002

By 

K. Morgan (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Speed: My Racing Life (Hardcover)

True Speed is the story of Tony Stewart's life both on and off the race track. Written by Tony (along with a co-author) True Speed reflects Tony's thoughts and beliefs. I found myself to be an bigger fan after reading the book than I was before. Tony is dedicated to his sport and that is clear in each and every page. Along with Tony's views there are quotes from family, friends, team members, and fellow drivers. This all mixes together to make True Speed a truly interesting read.

I am from Indiana and I am very proud to say that I am from the same state as Tony Stewart! Good luck to Tony in everything he does.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Speed was good, February 26, 2007

By 

D. Webb (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: True Speed: My Racing Life (Paperback)

I loved this book. It was very entertaining. It really held my attention. As a matter of fact it only took me a week to read it all. That is pretty good for me and always a sign of a good book. I highly recommend it. It had some pretty funny stuff in it.