{"product_id":"nascar-petty-vs-pearson-mavericks-2-book-set","title":"NASCAR: Petty vs. Pearson \u0026 Mavericks 2 Book Set","description":"\u003cb\u003eGet the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/i\u003e is the only book to examine this storied relationship, beginning with their pre-Winston Cup careers. Award-winning motorsports journalist Mike Hembree details:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe drivers’ backgrounds\u003c\/b\u003e—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\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTheir first meeting in a Cup event\u003c\/b\u003e, in 1960\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe memorable battles\u003c\/b\u003e, including their legendary wild finish at the 1976 Daytona 500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eParallel careers that coincided with seismic changes to NASCAR\u003c\/b\u003e: 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\u003cbr\u003eWhile their rivalry produced amazing finishes and tense moments, Petty and Pearson were friends throughout. \u003ci\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/i\u003e examines that relationship, including their retirements in 1986 (Pearson) and 1992 (Petty) and their lives in NASCAR beyond the driver’s seat. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThroughout the riveting text, Hembree draws on \u003cb\u003eoriginal interviews with both drivers\u003c\/b\u003e (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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeaturing a \u003cb\u003eforeword by Terry Labonte\u003c\/b\u003e, a legendary driver in his own right, \u003ci\u003ePetty vs. Pearson\u003c\/i\u003e is a must-have for every fan’s collection.\n\u003cb\u003eIn this officially licensed and stunningly illustrated volume, get a thrilling, up-close-and-personal look at NASCAR’s mavericks and key moments from the dawn of the sport to present day. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn every sport there are mavericks—trailblazers, risk-takers, hell-raisers, forward-thinkers—who drive the breakthroughs and advances that shape and define the sport. Written by longtime motorsports journalists H.A. Branham and Holly Cain, \u003ci\u003eNASCAR Mavericks\u003c\/i\u003e covers the NASCAR story in chronological order, focusing on key movers and shakers—the men and women key to the sport’s evolution—often related through first-hand stories. Racing great Tony Stewart’s foreword sets the scene.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccompanied by exceptional \u003cb\u003eimages sourced from NASCAR’s archives\u003c\/b\u003e plus other top photographers, the profiles include such NASCAR legends as:\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Flock Brothers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLee and Richard Petty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmokey Yunick\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJanet Guthrie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Earnhardts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumpy Wheeler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTony Stewart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInterspersed with the maverick profiles are \u003cb\u003esidebars highlighting legendary races, machines, and events\u003c\/b\u003e like the first Daytona 500, Plymouth’s Hemi Superbird, record-setting pit stops, Jeff Gordon’s T-Rex car, and more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNASCAR Mavericks \u003c\/i\u003eproves that racing always improves the breed!","brand":"Midlife Classic Cars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50001553588504,"sku":"KIT9780760393178\/9780760388785","price":52.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/9813\/3831\/files\/kit97807603931789780760388785.jpg?v=1772258180","url":"https:\/\/www.midlifeclassiccars.com\/bs\/products\/nascar-petty-vs-pearson-mavericks-2-book-set","provider":"MidlifeClassicCars.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}