Magnolias, Sweet Tea, and Exhaust: One Womans Journey to Understanding the Phenomenon of NASCAR

(Hardback)

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Description

In Magnolias, Sweet Tea, and Exhaust, Carole Townsend goes to ground with NASCAR, following the races at Southern tracks from one to the next, learning about the sport and the culture of NASCAR as she goes. Townsend meets and interviews top drivers as well as some of NASCAR's rising stars, legends, team owners, pit crews, and fans. In a display ofimmersion journalism at its best, Townsend takes a ride in one of the cars on a track at race speed, tours the multimillion dollar garages in North Carolina, learns from mechanics, mingles with fans, and participates in the much-coveted infield camping party at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gaining behind-the-scenes access at races, she experiences up close the dedication, competition, and precision of NASCAR teams during qualifying trials and races. Some of the interviews and viewpoints included in the book are 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Rex White (the 1960 NASCAR Grand National Champion), David Ragan (winner of the 2013 Talladega May race) and his pit crew chief Jay Guy, top contender Clint Bowyer, and driver Johanna Long, the 20-year-old Nationwide Series phenomenon.Team owner Michael Waltrip and 16-year-old rising star Mason Massey also talk with Townsend about the sport's popularity, its changing face, and today's challenges. Townsend also covers NASCAR and its "good old boy" roots in bootlegging, as well as Southern food and hospitality as represented by that great tradition--tailgating (a sport in itself). She also discusses the fascinating evolution of NASCAR racing rules and the growing popularity of NASCAR abroad. This is a perfect book for the avid NASCAR fan as well as the more casual fan looking to learn more about this growing phenomenon!

Reviews

The book is a great read for any die-hard fan, or the new fan with an interest in NASCAR. David Ragan, winner, Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, 2013

Like so many others, Carole Townsend has discovered the magic and intoxicating allure of NASCAR. Magnolias, Sweet Tea, and Exhaust is a highly entertaining account of a properly raised Southern ladys indoctrination into the high-speed arena of fast cars, racetrack culture, and the extremely interesting people who participate and those who come to watch. Along the journey, she finds the passion that the sport of NASCAR racing represents to so many of those she meets. This is a must-read for those who may have been hesitant to personally experience what the buzz about NASCAR is all about. Ed Clark, president and general manager, Atlanta Motor Speedway

Townsends venture into the male-dominated sport of NASCAR is immensely entertaining and informative for race fans and those just looking for a good read. Gregg Loomis, former race car driver and author of the Lang Reilly thrillers

Part stock car racing primer, part Southern-fried travelogue, a compelling and often hilarious account of a full-blown conversion into the religion known as NASCAR. Andrew Giangola, author of The Weekend Starts on Wednesday

This is the perfect beginners book for new NASCAR fans. Carole Townsend tells us the story of a newbie fan who wanted to learn about the sport and went all out to do just that. There is even information in the book that many longtime fans do not know. I highly recommend it for all fansold and new. Ron Fleshman, editor, Racing Information Service

A good read. I highly recommend it. Jay Guy, NASCAR crew chief

I highly recommend this book not only for the novice, but also for the long-time fan.
- Ron Fleshman, Racing Information Service

Carole describes with much humor her journey into another world she refers to as out there as Mars that will make you laugh out loud and understand her first gaffes and journey to becoming a better educated and true fan.
--Auveed Bagheri Cawthon and Beth Volpert, Gwinnett Citizen

Part narrative, part primer on the hypnotic sport, part funny book, part homage to the magic and mystique of a special sports culture, this book is a very good read.
--Harvey Frommer
The book is a great read for any die-hard fan, or the new fan with an interest in NASCAR. David Ragan, winner, Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, 2013

Like so many others, Carole Townsend has discovered the magic and intoxicating allure of NASCAR. Magnolias, Sweet Tea, and Exhaust is a highly entertaining account of a properly raised Southern ladys indoctrination into the high-speed arena of fast cars, racetrack culture, and the extremely interesting people who participate and those who come to watch. Along the journey, she finds the passion that the sport of NASCAR racing represents to so many of those she meets. This is a must-read for those who may have been hesitant to personally experience what the buzz about NASCAR is all about. Ed Clark, president and general manager, Atlanta Motor Speedway

Townsends venture into the male-dominated sport of NASCAR is immensely entertaining and informative for race fans and those just looking for a good read. Gregg Loomis, former race car driver and author of the Lang Reilly thrillers

Part stock car racing primer, part Southern-fried travelogue, a compelling and often hilarious account of a full-blown conversion into the religion known as NASCAR. Andrew Giangola, author of The Weekend Starts on Wednesday

This is the perfect beginners book for new NASCAR fans. Carole Townsend tells us the story of a newbie fan who wanted to learn about the sport and went all out to do just that. There is even information in the book that many longtime fans do not know. I highly recommend it for all fansold and new. Ron Fleshman, editor, Racing Information Service

A good read. I highly recommend it. Jay Guy, NASCAR crew chief

I highly recommend this book not only for the novice, but also for the long-time fan.
- Ron Fleshman, Racing Information Service

Carole describes with much humor her journey into another world she refers to as out there as Mars that will make you laugh out loud and understand her first gaffes and journey to becoming a better educated and true fan.
--Auveed Bagheri Cawthon and Beth Volpert, Gwinnett Citizen

Part narrative, part primer on the hypnotic sport, part funny book, part homage to the magic and mystique of a special sports culture, this book is a very good read.
--Harvey Frommer

Author Bio

Carole Townsend is a reporter and columnist for the Gwinnett Daily Post newspaper in Georgia and has been published in Ladies Home Journal and other national publications. She has appeared on CNN and FOX, ABC and CBS news, and talk shows. When she started writing this book, Townsend began accepting invitations to be a guest on various NASCAR racing radio shows, including Doug Allans Spirit of Racing. As a journalist and strong advocate for the health and well-being of women and children, she also tours throughout the Southeast and speaks to various groups on the topics of becoming an author, making career changes, and living in the South.