Reading for Racers - Oval Track Racing Books - Motorsports Art

Home

Store Directory

Gift Certificates

Shipping

About Us

Tearoffs

Links

Contact Us
 

Join Our Mailing List
for advance notice
of special offers!
(emails are never
shared or sold)

Join Our Mailing List
Email:

A Hand For The Wheel
- The Mel Kenyon Story

Mark Donohue -Technical
Excellence at Speed

Indianapolis
Motor Speedway
- 100 Years of Racing

EDDIE SACHS,
The Clown Prince

Hard Times, Hard Driving
– Dirt Track Racing
in the 1930s

TOMMY HINNERSHITZ,
The Life & Times of An
Auto Racing Legend

DAREDEVILS OF
THE FRONTIER

Racers at Rest
– the Checkered Flag

The Unfair Advantage

THANKS: The Story of Rick Mears and the Mears Gang

Danica, Crossing the Line

BRICK BY BRICK
 – The Story of Auto Racing Pioneer Joie Ray

Dialed In - The Jan
Opperman Story

My road to Indy

LONE WOLF

Damn Few Died in Bed

The Unser Legacy:
Four Generations of Speed

Juan Pablo Montoya

The Marvelous Mechanical
Designs of  Harry A. Miller

Wooden Rails
& Rooster Tails: An Autoracing Anthology

UMBRELLA MIKE:
The True Story of the
Chicago Gangster
Behind the Indy 500

Rodger Ward: Superstar
of  American Racing's
Golden Age

NEVER LOOK BACK
Johnnie Parsons


The Iron Duke
Duke Nalon

HERK Hurtubise

ALONG FOR THE RIDE
(Bob Sweikert)

VUKOVICH

Jack Arute's Tales
from the Indy 500

Barney Oldfield—The Life
and Times of America’s Legendary Speed King

Safe At Any Speed
(Joie Chitwood)

small yellow on blue.gif (1787 bytes)


 

S-84
Price: $20.00
 

A Hand For The Wheel – The Mel Kenyon Story

By Jack Albinson

The 7 time USAC National Midget Champion and a veteran of 8 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races overcame the injuries suffered in a flaming crash at Langhorne, Pennsylvania then came back to win again.

Soft cover, 120 pages,
51 photos (13 in full color);
4 Ralph Steele paintings in full color.










 

S-995
Price: $39.95

 

Mark Donohue – Technical
Excellence at Speed

by Michael Argetsinger

To a generation of fans in the 1960s and 1970s, Mark Donohue embodied a new, uniquely American spirit in motor racing. Donohue was not only blindingly fast, he was also smart, with a background in engineering and a unique talent for studying and setting up a race car. Together with his like-minded team owner, Roger Penske, he brought a new level of technical sophistication and preparation to nearly every type of American racing, from sports cars to the Indianapolis 500.

After years of success in amateur sports-car racing, Donohue’s professional career took off in 1966 when he drove a factory Ford GT40 at Le Mans and a Lola T70 for Penske in the Can-Am Challenge. In 1972 he won the Indy 500, and a year later he captured the Can-Am title. After a brief retirement he returned to racing in Formula One, only to die following an accident during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix in 1975.

In the first full biography of Mark Donohue, author Michael Argetsinger tells the story of racing’s ultimate driver-engineer, one who set the standard for generations to come. He also explains how Donohue’s life and career were shaped by his friends, family, and fellow drivers, as well as by the rapid changes in technology and competition that swept through racing during his time.

Hard cover, 344 pages.

S-989
Price: $29.95
 

 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- 100 Years of Racing


by Ralph Kramer, with
Foreword by Mario Andretti


What began as 328 acres of Indiana farm land is now a modern facility legendary in the world of racing. Long considered the world's greatest race track, Indianapolis Motor Speedway turns 100 this year.

Celebrate the Brickyard's first century with colorful pictures and lively stories that
capture the spirit and fun of race day.

Author Ralph Kramer grew up on a
farm 50 miles from Indy and saw his first 500-mile race in 1950. Later, Kramer covered the race and the sideshow functions for The Indianapolis News from 1964-1973. He was the director of the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum (1995 to 1998).

Hard cover, 256 pages

S-640
Price: $23.95
 

EDDIE SACHS, The Clown Prince

By Denny Miller

The Life and Times of one of the World’s Greatest Drivers, Eddie Sachs. Over 600 pages filled with racing memories, remarkable photography, and humorous stories about a guy who talked his way into the cockpit...and into history.

Soft Cover, 625 pages, B&W photos.


 

 

 

 




 

S-979
Price: $19.95
 

 

Hard Times, Hard Driving
– Dirt Track Racing in the 1930s


by Richard Sharpless and John Way

The dirt track racers who caught the public’s attention in the Depression years were often local boys. They came from farms and factories, from small towns and big cities, but they had in common a fascination with the machine that was fast transforming America. For them the automobile was a magical machine they could drive into adventure, fame, and, just possibly, profit. It set them apart as unique.

Along with daredevil drivers and imaginative mechanics with their homemade cars, the era produced its share of inventive racing people: weekend enthusiasts who labored for little more than love of the sport as scorers, timekeepers, pit stewards, and starters. Since almost everybody had to learn from scratch, it all became a game of make up.

This is the story of that hard times decade, about the drivers and builders, the promoters and officials, about all those who laid the foundation for the emergence of big-time racing after the Second World War. It is a story based on extensive interviews of those who were there, who did the work of making American automobile racing a sport of the common man.

Soft cover, 152 pages.

S-977
Price: $29.95

TOMMY HINNERSHITZ, The Life & Times of An Auto Racing Legend

by Gary Ludwig

A beautifully printed hard cover book with full color dust jacket photos, 20 pages of inside photos, complete career statistics, and 252 pages of auto-racing history by veteran sportswriter Gary Ludwig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


S-810 
Regular Price: $39.95
SuperSpecial: $23.95

DAREDEVILS OF
THE FRONTIER



By Keith Herbst

Coastal 181 is extremely proud to have worked so closely with Keith Herbst to publish this title before he died in June 2009.  It is a beautiful hardcover book, painstakingly researched – a treasure trove of stories, stats and photos for any midget enthusiast. 

Keith Herbst chronicles The Daredevils—a unique breed of Eastern and Midwestern race car drivers who met regularly on the common ground of the Niagara Frontier to test their mettle.

Daredevils is a visual remembrance of the excitement and the thrills these drivers provided to record-breaking crowds of race fans in the turbulent 1940s and 1950s.

Hardcover, est. 250 pages with
over 400 photographs.

Read a Review



S-951
Price: $74.95
 

Racers at Rest – the Checkered Flag

By Buzz Rose, Joe Heisler, Fred Chaparro, and Jeff Sharpe

The most significant book ever written on open-wheel oval-track racing (including midgets, sprints, supermodifieds, roadsters, and Champ Cars).

A celebration of life to honor the nearly 1500 who perished while racing, from 1908 to 2008.

1000 photos and articles, 448 pp, high quality glossy paper, 9”x12”.

Available late October. Order now
and receive a signed and numbered
Limited Edition.





S-942
Price: $24.95
 

The Unfair Advantage

by Mark Donohue

In 1974, Mark Donohue took a year off from driving at the height of his racing career to write "The Unfair Advantage," a candid and revealing book about his journey through the world of auto racing – from amateur SCCA races in his own 57 Corvette to winning the Indy 500 in Roger Penske’s McLaren M16.

Considered a classic, the book was reissued in 2000; this edition contains over 60 additional photographs and comments from people who worked and raced with Donohue during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Soft cover, 350 pages, 100+ black and white & color photos.

S-933
Price: $39.95

 

 

THANKS: The Story of Rick Mears and the Mears Gang

by Gordon Kirby

Through the eighties and into the early nineties he was known as the King of the Speedways and the maestro of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rick Mears, the gentleman racer, won four Indianapolis 500s between 1979 and 1991, as well as three CART Indy car championships, before retiring at the end of 1992 following a series of injuries.

Originally from Kansas, Rick, his brother Roger, and his racer dad Bill were known as the “Mears Gang” in Southern California sprint buggy and off-road racing. Brother Roger went on to race Indy cars for a few years before focusing his career on off-road racing, where he was an extremely successful owner/driver.

The Mears Gang tradition carries on today with Roger’s son Casey racing in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup. In Rick Mears • Thanks, veteran racing writer Gordon Kirby, the U.S. editor of Motor Sport, tells the whole story of Rocket Rick Mears and the Mears Gang’s journey from dirt tracks to superspeedways.

Soft cover, 264 pages.

S-925
Price: $22.95

BRICK BY BRICK – The Story of
Auto Racing Pioneer Joie Ray


by Patrick Sullivan

Joie Ray was a journeyman open wheel driver in the forties and fifties. He raced widely and well, but took only three checkered flags and never achieved his ambition of racing at the Brickyard.

Ray was black – the first to break the color barrier with AAA. This is the passionate story of a gentle, but pioneering American.

The book was published by Dave Argabright.

Soft cover, 208 pages, black and white  photography.

 

 

 

S-920
Price: $29.95
 

Dialed In –The Jan Opperman Story

by John Sawyer

Dialed In –The Jan Opperman Story has been re-released in a new edition. According to the publishers it is “a book that is acknowledged by many as being a classic auto-racing story. It is filled with passion and pathos, sometimes humorous, sometimes sad.

The Jan Opperman story is one of never giving up and having faith in a divine being.
It provides the reader the rare opportunity to peer behind the glamorous facade of auto racing and meet the inner man.

The friendship between narrator and author is evident and while much of the book is Jan’s own words, John Sawyer has carefully authored them. From a teenage street fighter, motorcycle flat track racer and California hippie to respected Sprint car driver and Indy 500 racer - Jan Opperman's story is remarkable, entertaining and difficult to put down."

Soft cover, 5 1/2" x 8 ½”, 144 pages,
38 black & white photos.

 

S-160
Price: $35.00

My road to Indy

by Len Sutton

Coastal 181 is very pleased to be offering this newly reprinted edition of Len Sutton’s spectacular racing autobiography.

With insight and intelligence, Len has chronicled his incredible road through early open wheel racing to the infamous Indy roadster, to the advent of rear engine design.

There are 175 photographs throughout this hardcover book and an introduction by Donald Davidson, Indianapolis Speedway historian.

 

S-744 
Price: $30.00

LONE WOLF

by Doug Wolfgang
with Dave Argabright

Doug Wolfgang, winner of five Knoxville Nationals, is one of the finest sprint car drivers of all time; Dave Argabright is one of the finest writers. 

This is a brand new and haunting volume, full of the intensity, triumph, tragedy, and controversy so much a part of the sport.

Hard cover, 300 pages, color and B&W photos.

 

 

 


 



S-855
Price: $39.95
 

Damn Few Died in Bed

by Andy Dunlop and Thomas Saal  

The remarkable story of Andy Dunlop, a master mechanic and crew chief who spent almost 50 years in American automotive competition.

In a book that captures the essence of American dirt track racing, Saal's skillful interviews with Dunlop bring out the highs and lows of the amazing life of a chief mechanic on the championship trail in the Fifties and Sixties.

This volume is a true testament to Andy and many others who lived and sometimes died on the edge, preparing cars and driving them to their limit. 

Hardcover, 300 pages, with
B&W and color photos, 7 1/4' x 10 1/4"

 



S-660
Price: $40.00
 

The Unser Legacy:
Four Generations of Speed 


by Gordon Kirby

The dynasty was first established on Pikes Peak with Bobby and Al. The second generation continued the Indy dominance as Al Unser Jr. won in both 1992 and 1994.

Eventually, Robby Unser became the seventh member of the family to start at the big Brickyard, and now the newest racing Unser, Alfred Richard looks to add yet another Unser name to the Indy 500 competitor list.

Hard cover, 256 pages





S-236
Price: $32.95
 

The Marvelous Mechanical Designs of
Harry A. Miller


By Gordon E. White

Harry A. Miller designed racing cars that were among the finest of the golden age of American auto racing for nearly two decades. This book portrays Miller's racing cars of the glorious roaring twenties along with his speedboat and aircraft engines - even his design for a high-speed combat vehicle engine. An exciting collection of photos of the work of one of America's mechanical geniuses, along with commentary on Miller's work by auto racing historian Gordon Eliot White.

Soft cover, 142 black & white photographs.

S-721
Price: $20.00

Wooden Rails & Rooster Tails: An Autoracing Anthology

by Earl C. Fabritz & Allan G. Krause

Travel into the past and read about the beginnings of auto racing. This book is a collection of short stories previously published in magazines over the last twenty plus years.

By putting them in a book, you can understand the history behind the race tracks, men and machines which created a foundation for today's modern auto racing.

Included are several stories about the Mile and racing in Milwaukee & Wisconsin area, and there is also a story on the Fresno, California's mile dirt track and Sioux City, Iowa's two-mile dirt track.

Hard cover. 136 pages, 9” by 6”, black and white photos throughout.


 

S-833SC Soft Cover
Price: $14.95

UMBRELLA MIKE:
The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500

by Brock Yates

Umbrella Mike is Michael Joseph Boyle, the corrupt leader of Chicago’s most powerful union and on friendly terms with Al Capone. Umbrella Mike was one of the few who could afford the luxury of racing during the hardship of the Depression. In 1937, dogged by adverse publicity and a barrage of disasters, the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup was held on Long Island. This book remarkably chronicles the dramatic events that unfolded during this most controversial of races — pitting against one another a Nazi poster child, a German-hating Swiss, and the brilliant American underdog who has a trick or two up his sleeve.

Soft cover

S-834
Price: $40.00

Rodger Ward: Superstar of
American Racing's Golden Age

by Mike O’Leary

For a generation of racing fans, and for racing history buffs to this day, Rodger Ward embodies the post-war era of open wheel racing in the United States. In Wards day, drivers didn’t specialize, they raced every chance they got, so he competed in Mexican road races, the Monza Race of Two Worlds, Grand Prix (Formula 1), and he even won a AAA stock car points title.

He raced from 1948-1966 and he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992. He died in 2004 at age 83.

Hard cover, 160 pages S-834 Price $40.00

S-808
Price: $25.00

NEVER LOOK BACK

by Johnnie Parsons with Gary Delph and Charles C Bolton

In this new book, Johnnie Parsons reveals his innermost thoughts as he competed against the very best racing drivers in the world during one of auto racing’s most dangerous eras.

A great insight into the life and thoughts of “An Auto Racing Champion” with special insights from Johnnie’s friends and competitors and the story of “the trip around the world in 80 delays” by IMS historian, Donald Davidson.

Hard cover, 256 pages, 92 photos

 

 

 

 

S-663
Price: $25.00

The Iron Duke

by George Peters

George and Barbara Peters’ energetic new historical racing book details the incredible career of Duke Nalon, 1934-1954.

Nalon was just as big as they come in midgets, sprinters, and champ cars. He won several AAA titles and capped his career with a 100 mile midget win at Terra Haute.

The Iron Duke’s most infamous laps, however, were behind the wheel of the ultra-powerful, man-eating Novi entries at Indy. He snatched the pole position twice, took home a third, and lived through it. Duke Nalon was the best record of any of the Novi chauffeurs.

Soft cover, 270 pages – vintage B&W photography throughout

S-648
Price: $30.00
 

HERK Hurtubise

By Bob Gates

"Open Wheel" feature writer, Bob Gates, has captured dramatically the complex life of Jim Hurtubise, the ultra-popular roadster era racer known as Hercules.

It was Herk who was Indy's most sensational rookie, who made the greatest ever comeback in racing following savage burns, who ended the Offy domination in sprinters with his Chevy, who tamed the powerful NOVI, and who challenged the establishment with the most publicized protest in the history
of Indianapolis.

Hardbound - 296 pages - black and white photography








S-646
Price: $29.95
 

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

by Dorie Sweikert

This is a brand new release of one of the most unusual motorsports books ever written.

Dorie Sweikert tells the poignant story of the amazing life of her Indy-winning husband, Bob Sweikert and his violent death at Salem, Indiana.

It is a haunting look at racing’s most dangerous era.

Hard cover, 5 ¾” x 8 ¾” , 224 pages, 2 dozen plus black & white photos








S-600
Price: $35.00
(Hard Cover)
 

S-605
Price: $27.50
(Soft Cover)
 

VUKOVICH

by Bob Gates

This is an inspiring but painfully tragic tale of Indy’s greatest driver and the two generations of his family following him to the famous “Brickyard”.

In 320 pages, packed with 260 photos (72 in color), the book covers this amazing American racing family from Vukie’s early post-war exploits to Bill III’s death in a sprint car in 1990.

Hard Cover and Soft Cover Versions




 







S-228
Price: $19.95
 

Jack Arute's Tales from the Indy 500

By Jack Arute with Jenna Fryer, foreword by A.J. Foyt

On his very first trip to The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jack realized just how special Indy was and how he wanted to somehow be a part of it. Arute eventually made that dream come true through his job as pit reporter for ABC Sports.

From his initial fear of approaching A.J. Foyt in the garage as a cub reporter to waiting out Gil de Ferran's tears after he won the 87th running of the Indy 500, "Jackie" has seen it all.

Hard cover, 6” x 8.5”, 173 pages.

S-166-B
Price: $32.50
 

Barney Oldfield—The Life and Times of America’s Legendary Speed King

by William F. Nolan

This book is the only title ever devoted to Barney Oldfield, the man who got his start at the turn of the century racing Ford’s 999 and winning the Manufacturers’ Challenge Cup, at Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on October 25, 1902. He raced his cars against planes and played chicken with trains, barnstormed the county fairs, and brawled in saloons. He was the first man to go faster than a-mile-minute on a dirt oval. He set records at the dirt tracks and on the beach, raced the road courses and circled the banked board and brick tracks with the fastest of the era.

In this full-bodied, colorful account, William F. Nolan superbly recreates the flavor and raw tempo of early-day America when Barney Oldfield was called the Speed King of the World.

Cloth cover, 6x9, 232 pages, 40 pages of photos, 112 black & white photos

S-86
Price: $22.50
 

Safe At Any Speed

By Ed Watson & Jim Russell

The great double career of Joie Chitwood. This book has more racing history than most racing books and you get the story of America's oldest thrill show to boot.

256 pages, 175 photos