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ABOUT KYLE PETTY AND SWERVE OR DIE
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Kyle Petty is NASCAR royalty. Son of the legendary "King," Richard Petty, and grandson of one of the founding fathers of the sport, Lee Petty spoke to Bill Wills about his new book, co-written with bestselling author Ellis Henican, SWERVE OR DIE: Life at My Speed in the First Family of NASCAR Racing. This beloved member of the first family of American auto racing discusses the sport's origins, how it is navigating the important issues of the day, and what the future will be for the sport. And, that future might just see NASCAR becoming a global leader in "green" vehicles.
A champion on and off the track, Petty presents a thoughtful and nuanced book. This is not just an "I raced here; I won there," type of book. Rather, a great portion is devoted to facing down tough issues plaguing the sport, and society. SWERVE OR DIE takes a deep dive into how the great American racing circuit has become so controversial and how it's Southern-bred worldview - the Confederate flag debate, for example - is shaking American life yet again. He is not afraid to pull the curtain back on why the sport is dealing with many wrenching societal issues tearing at its soul and how it will go about handling them.
This is the smart NASCAR book that's never been written before. From the dirt tracks of the south and the hard-packed beaches of Daytona FL, to today's Superspeedways, often with 150,000+ fans in attendance, few sports.few businesses.have grown as exponentially as NASCAR. Its future is a hot topic. How does NASCAR attract the next generation (or two) of fans while maintaining the hold it has on old-time fans who helped racing grow into a colossus? Are electric vehicles, and green racing, where the sport is headed?
Filled with intensely personal anecdotes and juicy stories about the sport's biggest names, it's also chock full of never-before-seen photos from the Petty family's private collection. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the sport, as well as the perfect primer for anyone who's ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at all the races.
PRAISE FOR SWERVE OR DIE
"After all the things Kyle's done, I knew there had to be a book in there somewhere. Well, here it is. And I'll tell you what: Kyle doesn't believe in keeping secrets. Even I learned some things in here. And yeah, his mom deserves all the credit for how he turned out." --Richard Petty
"He's lived through the worst possible scenario that could happen to anyone. Imagine going back to Loudon after that! You could throw haymakers at Kyle. He just rolls with it. He's like, 'I'm gonna walk around with a ponytail.I'm gonna sing.I'm gonna say whatever I wanna say on TV.' With that upbeat attitude of his and the way he takes advantage of every opportunity, I do think Kyle has lived the lives of five people combined."--Joey Logano, NASCAR Champion
"It's always darkest in the shadow of greatness. Each generation has had to prove itself along the way, and believe me it doesn't get easier. Kyle's story is a uniquely American one about a uniquely America sport. I highly recommend it."-- Jay Leno
"Kyle isn't just a racecar driver. He has a powerful voice, a bottomless heart and a real gift for bringing people together. What he's achieved with Victory Junction and the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. It's just incredible. His life story is packed with lessons for all of us."--Herschel Walker
"As a competitor, broadcaster, family member and dear friend, Kyle has lived through every era of our sport, impacting the lives of so many along the way. With a heartfelt gift for storytelling, his love for NASCAR and passion for the people in it make his first-hand account of motorsports history a must-read for racing fans everywhere."--Lesa Kennedy, executive vice chair of NASCAR
ABOUT KYLE PETTY
Kyle Petty is a former NASCAR racer and current commentator on NBC Sports. He is the son of 7-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, the grandson of racer Lee Petty, credited as one of the founding fathers of the sport, and father of the late racer, Adam Petty, tragically killed in a crash during practice for a race in May 2000. Kyle last drove the #45 Dodge Charger for Petty Enterprises, where he formerly served as CEO. He is an in-demand public speaker and is active in many charitable causes, including Victory Junction, a camp that serves children with serious medical conditions, founded in honor of his son, Adam. He also leads an annual motorcycle ride, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.