Motor sports and American culture : from demolition derbies to NASCAR / edited by Mark D. Howell and John D. Miller.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Soon after the first automobiles were introduced in the United States, auto racing became a reality. Since that time, motorsports have expanded to include drag racing, open wheel racing, rallying, demolition derbies, stock car racing, and more. Motorsports have grown to such an extent that NASCAR is now the second most watched professional sport in America, behind only football. But motorsports are about much more than going fast and finishing first. These events also reflect our culture, our society, our values, and our history.



In Motorsports and American Culture: From Demolition Derbies to NASCAR, Mark D. Howell and John D. Miller bring together essays that examine the relevancy of motorsports to American culture and history, from the late nineteenth century to the present. Addressing a wide spectrum of motorsports--such as stock car racing, demolition derbies, land speed record pursuits, and even staged train wrecks--the essays highlight the social and cultural implications of contemporary and historical moments in these sports. Topics covered include gender roles in motorsports, hot rods and the creation of fan and participant identities, the appeal of demolition derbies, the globalization of motorsports, the role of moonshine in stock car history, the economic relationship between NASCAR and its corporate sponsors, and more.



Offering the most thorough study of motorsports to date from a diverse pool of disciplines and subjects, Motorsports and American Culture will appeal to motorsports and automobile enthusiasts, as well as those interested in American history, popular culture, sports history, and gender studies.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Howell (communication, Northwestern Michigan College) and Miller (literature and cultural studies, Longwood Univ.) have brought together a wide array of individuals with disparate backgrounds and interests. The volume asks the question of whether US motor-sport culture is unique (as compared to that of Europe or Asia)--and if it is, how and why. The question, addressed in several essays, is answered in part by the nature of the geography of the US (large and open) and the nature of the population, diverse in origin and behavior. The most striking, well-considered discussion is of stock-car racing--and by extension NASCAR--which began on dirt track as a regional event and gradually became national (though it is often still considered culturally regional). Also discussed are gender issues, which began in particular types of racing; as in many situations, a woman had to be better than the men even to become involved. This bias diminished but has still not disappeared. One glaring omission is coverage of the role of SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), an important force in American motor sports. Though the book lacks overall coherence, it is a worthwhile effort. --Francis W. Yow, Kenyon College