{"title":"Mike Hembree","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the exhilarating world of stock car racing with the works of Mike Hembree, a prolific author dedicated to exploring the vibrant history and compelling stories within the NASCAR landscape. With a career spanning decades, Hembree brings readers closer to the action and drama of one of America's most popular sports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNASCAR 75 Years\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-read for any motorsport enthusiast, offering a comprehensive look into the evolution of NASCAR over three-quarters of a century. Through engaging narratives and detailed accounts, this book vividly captures the milestones, legends, and pivotal moments that have shaped the sport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e, another captivating read, delves into the riveting rivalry between two of NASCAR's most legendary drivers. Hembree's storytelling brings to life the intense competition, personal journeys, and the respect shared between Richard Petty and David Pearson, offering fans a deeper understanding of what made this rivalry iconic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMike Hembree's books fall under the \u003cstrong\u003eSports\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/strong\u003e categories, making them perfect for readers who enjoy thrilling sports narratives and insightful biographical details. Whether you're a die-hard NASCAR fan or new to the world of racing, Hembree's works provide an informative and exciting journey through the fast-paced world of stock car racing.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"petty-vs-pearson-by-mike-hembree-9780760393178","title":"Petty vs. Pearson","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e is the only book to examine this storied relationship, beginning with their pre-Winston Cup careers. Award-winning motorsports journalist Mike Hembree details:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe 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\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTheir first meeting in a Cup event, in 1960\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe memorable battles, including their legendary wild finish at the 1976 Daytona 500\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eParallel 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 1980s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile their rivalry produced amazing finishes and tense moments, Petty and Pearson were friends throughout. \u003cem\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e examines that relationship, including their retirements in 1986 (Pearson) and 1992 (Petty) and their lives in NASCAR beyond the driver's seat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a foreword by Terry Labonte, a legendary driver in his own right, \u003cem\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-have for every fan's collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46845516775660,"sku":"9780760393178","price":55.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/60b06b01f1e71f5c438021ff5539aee3.jpg?v=1758964449"},{"product_id":"nascar-75-years-by-mike-hembree-9780760380055","title":"NASCAR 75 Years","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked with evocative photography and a history written by some of the sport's most knowledgeable journalists, \u003ci\u003eNASCAR 75 Years\u003c\/i\u003e is the definitive story of America's favourite motorsport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNASCAR 75 Years\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollow 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, Yarbrough, Earnhardt, Waltrip, Gordon, Stewart, Johnson, Busch, all battling wheel to wheel, week after week, across the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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, \u003ci\u003eNASCAR 75 Years\u003c\/i\u003e is a volume no fan can be without.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47082302669036,"sku":"9780760380055","price":95.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19728733482458.jpg?v=1765273090"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/mike-hembree.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}