View As They Head for the Checkers
SPEEDtv.com Reviewed: “AS THEY HEAD FOR THE CHECKERS: Fantastic Finishes, Memorable Milestones and Heroes Remembered from the World of Racing”
Written by: Gregg Leary Charlotte, NC – 4/18/2006
Category:NASCAR -> Sprint Cup
“AS THEY HEAD FOR THE CHECKERS: Fantastic Finishes, Memorable Milestones and Heroes Remembered from the World of Racing”
By Kathy Persinger
With CD of Actual Calls, Reactions and Interviews with Racing’s Greatest Drivers, hosted by Mark Garrow
So many books to read … so little time! As the Motorsports Book Reviewer for SPEEDTV.com, I am constantly on the lookout for great books that include innovative ways of presenting material to the reader. The enclosed CD, hosted by veteran journalist Mark Garrow, is just what I’m looking for. It is NOT “As They Head for the Checkers” on compact disc. It is NOT a “book on tape.” What it IS is a tremendous supplement to a good book.
Garrow has edited live race calls, post-race interviews, Victory Lane quotes, phone calls and other sound bites from MRN Radio, Performance Racing Network and NASCAR digital to create more than an hour’s worth of additional content for the “As They Head for the Checkers” package.
Let me warn you that listening to it on your way to work could be hazardous to your health. I’ve come close to a ticket or two on my way to SPEED—vicariously living out what I’m experiencing on the CD. I have cranked up the volume and listened to the Petty/Pearson crash in the 1976 Daytona 500 and the fight between the Allisons and Cale Yarborough in the 1979 Daytona 500. I still smile every time I hear Bobby Allison say, “And Cale went to beatin’ on my fist with his nose.” If you’re a Bill Elliott fan, Dale Earnhardt’s misnamed “Pass in the Grass” at the 1987 Winston will get you fired up again. Just be sure to watch your speed and don’t try bump drafting on the interstate.
The CD includes sound bites from Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bill Elliott, the Allisons, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Harry Gant, Ernie Irvan, Alan Kulwicki , Tim Flock, Red Farmer and others. Junior Johnson’s story about how he got Winston involved with NASCAR is priceless and his memories of deceased drivers Fireball Roberts and Tiny Lund may raise a lump in your throat. If you are a parent of a child who is a real race fan but perhaps, a reluctant reader, this book and CD combination may be just the ticket.
The book is divided into four sections:
• Fantastic Finishes
• Milestones
• Tributes
• New Generations
The “chapters’ are easy to read—only a page or two long—and usually contain several top quality photographs. The 1979 Daytona 500 story contains four excellent photographs of the fight that put NASCAR on the map. Cale Yarborough’s expression in the picture on page 17 is priceless. I dare you to look at it and NOT smile.
The “Tribute” section is quite poignant and includes obituaries for Tiny Lund, Fireball Roberts, Curtis Turner, Joe Weatherly, J.D. McDuffie, Rob Moroso, John Nemechek, Tony Roper, Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Neil Bonnet, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Dale Earnhardt. To prevent the book from ending on a sad note, the final chapter highlights “New Generations” including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and others.
On the whole, Kathy Persinger’s research is good but one error jumped out at me. On page 104 she tells of Curtis Turner winning 22 convertible races and 17 races in the Grand National Class in 1956. She was correct on the convertible wins, but Turner only won one Grand National race that year—the Southern 500.
All in all, a good read. And with the bonus CD an excellent value. I give it three lug nuts out of five.
“AS THEY HEAD FOR THE CHECKERS: Fantastic Finishes, Memorable Milestones and Heroes Remembered from the World of Racing” is available from the SPEEDtv.com bookstore. Click HERE to browse other titles.
Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for “Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain” and
Book Reviewer for SpeedTV.com.
Leary was track announcer for Hooter’s IHRA Drag Racing at National Events in the USA and Canada and entertained event crowds during “down time” by conducting “crowd participation” and product giveaways with the Hooter’s Girls. He was Marketing and PR Director and track announcer at Lake Erie Speedway.
As Photo Editor, feature writer, columnist and swimsuit calendar chief photographer for “Sports Jam Magazine,” Leary covered Auto Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association. He has photographed dozens of celebrities from A-Z…including Mario Andretti, Jim Brown, AJ Foyt, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Mark McGwire, Paul Newman, Walter Payton, Alex Zanardi and Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush and Bill Clinton. Gregg’s wife, Lynn and daughter, Caitlynn live in Jefferson, Ohio and his son, Sean is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Leary has conducted motivational seminars and performed stand up comedy around the country. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and Exeter University in England. Gregg has hitchhiked 40,000 miles through 36 states and 10 European countries and is a licensed pilot and skydiver. Leary is available for motorsports consulting on a limited basis. Contact him via email at gleary@speedtv.com .