{"product_id":"petty-vs-pearson-the-rivalry-that-shaped-nascar-hardcover","title":"Petty vs. Pearson: The Rivalry That Shaped NASCAR - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMike Hembree\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eTerry LaBonte\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGet the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMike Hembree\u003c\/b\u003e has written about motorsports for four decades and is the author of fourteen books, including \u003ci\u003e100 Things NASCAR Fans Should Know \u0026amp; Do Before They Die\u003c\/i\u003e. He has won numerous awards, including the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence. He also is a seven-time National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and a three-time winner of the Russ Catlin Award for motorsports journalism excellence. Hembree has covered auto racing for \u003ci\u003eAutoweek\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eGreenville News\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eSpartanburg Herald-Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, the SPEED Channel, and \u003ci\u003eNASCAR Scene\u003c\/i\u003e. His news media career also includes coverage of the NFL, the NBA, MLB, the Olympics, and professional golf. Mike lives in Gaffney, South Carolina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 248\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.3 x 9.1 x 6.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 20, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51979098620205,"sku":"9780760393178","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/3185\/6429\/files\/7eZMBnxIc69780760393178.webp?v=1775818972","url":"https:\/\/ishookbooks.com\/products\/petty-vs-pearson-the-rivalry-that-shaped-nascar-hardcover","provider":"iShook Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}