Mike Hembree

Get the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon.The battle for NASCAR dominance was never more pronounced than when Richard Petty and David Pearson met on the track. In 551 head-to-head races between 1960 and 1986, they finished one-two an astounding 63 times (Pearson won 33, Petty 30). Each showdown attracted more media attention and new fans, helping the sport to evolve evermore rapidly.Petty vs. Pearson is the only book to examine this storied relationship, beginning with their pre-Winston Cup careers. Award-winning motorsports journalist Mike Hembree details:The drivers’ backgrounds—Petty earning his way up through a racing dynasty led by his father Lee; Pearson honing his skills as a DIY racer on local South Carolina dirt tracks Their first meeting in a Cup event, in 1960The memorable battles, including their legendary wild finish at the 1976 Daytona 500Parallel careers that coincided with seismic changes to NASCAR: the advent of superspeedways, the “aero wars,” the injection of corporate money, and a new generation of star drivers in the 1980sWhile their rivalry produced amazing finishes and tense moments, Petty and Pearson were friends throughout. Petty vs. Pearson examines that relationship, including their retirements in 1986 (Pearson) and 1992 (Petty) and their lives in NASCAR beyond the driver’s seat. Throughout the riveting text, Hembree draws on original interviews with both drivers (including interviews conducted with Petty in early 2024), those who witnessed the rivalry, and NASCAR figures who came later. The result is an entertaining and essential account of two storied drivers—and friends—who bridged NASCAR’s rollicking early years and the sophisticated entertainment concern it is today.Featuring a foreword by Terry Labonte, a legendary driver in his own right, Petty vs. Pearson is a must-have for every fan’s collection.

Of the 13 million visitors who annually flock to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, fewer than one in a thousand spend a night at the LeConte Lodge. Continuing over 100 years of service, Eastern America's highest lodge still operates with a waiting list, thriving so far off the grid that laundry is transported by llamas and food is ferried in by helicopter. Visitors must brave one of six trails to the Lodge's entrance, the shortest of which is five miles. Despite its remote location in Tennessee, LeConte Lodge remains a prominent tourist destination as it celebrates its centennial. Written by two journalists who have been making the trek for decades, this book reveals a history that predates the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The book features stories that contextualize the Lodge's development, from the log bunkhouse that marked the property in the 1920s to the flourishing Lodge there today. It also studies the history of Le Cont Mountain, the peak that houses the Lodge and shares its name.

Explore the thrilling illustrated story of NASCAR stock car racing in America with this stunning celebration filled with evocative photography, legendary drivers, and a decade-by-decade history.NASCAR 75 Years captures the greatest moments throughout the decades: from the beaches of Daytona to the jaw-clenching competition, the mind-bending technology, the triumphs, the teamwork, and the high-speed thrills. Large-format photography from throughout NASCAR history brings it all to life alongside narratives written by a roster of veteran NASCAR reporters and historians. Follow NASCAR’s growth from a small, innovative family business to a leader in sports entertainment, witnessed each week by millions in person and on national television. The authors show the evolution of the vehicles—from modified family sedans to 700-horsepower race-built behemoths, all the way through the “Next Gen” cars that debuted in 2022—and celebrate the drivers who have piloted them around tracks like Daytona, Talladega, Darlington, Las Vegas, and more—legendary heroes with names including Flock, Weatherly, Petty, Allison, Yarborough, Earnhardt, Waltrip, Gordon, Stewart, Johnson, Busch, all battling wheel to wheel, week after week, across the United States. This beautifully designed and extensively illustrated book provides the ultimate history of the legendary series, celebrating the drivers, crew chiefs, pit crews, owners, and tracks, from the earliest days on Florida’s beaches right through to today’s superspeedways, short tracks, and road courses. Compiled by authors with a passion for motorsport, NASCAR 75 Years is a volume no fan can be without.

Did you know that Richard Petty's first win was overturned due to a protest . . . by his dad? That Ned Jarrett won his first race in a car he bought with a bad check, banking on the winnings to pay it off? That Mario Andretti defied team orders to bag his first NASCAR win? That Tiny Lund nabbed his first NASCAR victory because he rescued a fellow driver from a fiery wreck? All this and more comes to light in 50 First Victories, which chronicles the journey of NASCAR's best as they drive their way to that landmark first victory. You'll read about Richard Petty at Charlotte, Dale Earnhardt Sr. at Bristol, Jimmie Johnson at Fontana, Chase Elliott at Watkins Glen, and more. Journalists Al Pearce and Mike Hembree have been along for the ride for much of NASCAR's long history. With a combined ninety years of coverage of one of America's grassroots sports, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the stories of these fast-and-furious heroes, drivers who ran to the ragged edge--and often past it--in pursuit of the checkered flag. Here are all the sport's stars--Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, David Pearson, Jimmie Johnson, Junior Johnson--and the inside stories of their success. Strap in for a rollicking ride to victory lane

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s name virtually assured that his life would not be ordinary. Over the past decade, he has fulfilled that destiny. His father, one of the most successful drivers in the history of international motorsports, gave his son more than his name. Dale Earnhardt Sr. placed Dale Jr. in position to follow the footsteps and tire tracks he had left from Darlington to Daytona, from coast to coast, from one championship to the next. Entering 2001, Junior was set to turn the sport on its ear. Instead, his world was rocked in the first race of the season when Dale Sr., racing behind him in a wild finish to the Daytona 500, crashed into the outside wall and was killed. The racing world mourned, and Junior’s life changed in many ways. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Out of the Shadow of Greatness tells the story of this remarkable young man’s journey from teenage dreamer to Winston Cup winner, from Street Stock racer to 200 mph superstar, from son of the greatest to a champion in his own right. Against the backdrop of one of sport’s biggest tragedies, he continues to carry the Earnhardt name to new heights. This newly revised edition is a must for any NASCAR fan.

Detailing 65 years of NASCAR history, this lively book explores the personalities, events, and facts every stock car racing fan should know. Important nicknames, dates, and acheivements round out this fan handbook. This guide to all things NASCAR also includes a list of must-do NASCAR-related activities, such as making a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Dale Earnhardt, exploring the hidden gems of major racing venues, and visiting lesser-known museums devoted to the sport.