Sales of New Book on Motorsports Pioneer Off to "Brisk"
Start
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla., February
21, 2008 - The launch party for Ed Otto,
NASCAR's Silent Partner attracted the legends of the sport
on February 12. Since, the book has attracted not only the interest
of auto racing insiders but fans as well. The Daytona Beach launch,
as well as the Living Legends of Auto Racing Awards Banquet the
following day, drew many of NASCAR's luminaries to discuss history-
making promoter Ed Otto and the new book on his life. Those on hand
to celebrate the debut of the biography of the motorsports pioneer
and former NASCAR vice president included NASCAR's Jim France, son
of NASCAR founder "Big" Bill France and an executive with NASCAR and
International Speedway Corporation (ISC), NASCAR President Mike
Helton and Motorsports Images and Archives Director Eddie Roche.
NASCAR champions in attendance at the Living Legends Banquet
included seven-time champion Richard Petty and two-time champion Ned
Jarrett.
Sales of the hardbound book are off to a "brisk" start
according to publishers Coastal 181. In its first week on the
market, the biography written by Otto's son, Edgar, and Joann Biondi
has enjoyed significant success. In fact, Ed Otto, NASCAR's
Silent Partner is proving to be a "must have" for
motorsports historians and dedicated fans.
Jarrett, who was the Master of Ceremonies at the Living Legends
event, expounded on the book's ability to draw the reader into the
history of the sport. Other motorsports notables that took part in
one of the two events included drivers Frankie Schneider, Bill
Wimble, Rex White, Bill Claren, Ralph Liguori and Jim Bray.
Promoters and track owners present at the launch included Hilly
Rife, Hal Hamrick and Jay Milligan. Representatives from major
national and local media outlets were also present.
Otto was a true pioneer of auto racing. He brought some of the
greatest innovations the sport has ever known including the use of
television to broadcast races and the chartering of airplanes to
transport race cars from one event to another. He joined NASCAR's
original owners group, as a silent partner, with a 20 percent stake
in 1949. In 1954 that share grew to 40 percent making Otto an equal
partner with Bill France, Sr. in NASCAR. He sold his shares to
France in 1963.
Ed Otto, NASCAR's Silent Partner helps tell the real story of the
time and how it influenced the events of today. In addition to the
true, behind-the-scenes tales are insightful interviews with Petty,
Junior Johnson, Mel Larson, Francis Flock, Cotton Owens, Hershel
McGriff, Humpy Wheeler, Jay Signore, Linda Vaughn and others. The
197 page work enjoys never before or seldom seen pictures from
NASCAR's earliest days as well as rare images from Otto-promoted
events across North America.
Excerpts from the many interviews in the book include:
"France
needed Otto if he ever wanted to get out of the South." - Richard
Petty, Seven-Time NASCAR Champion
"Otto was a real pioneer, and he is still very much a part of
racing today." - Humpy Wheeler, President and General Manager,
Lowe's Motor Speedway
"[Otto] changed the way the sport was viewed...he helped make it
acceptable." - Chris Economaki, Editor and Publisher Emeritus,
National Speed Sport News
Ed Otto, NASCAR's Silent Partner is being published
by Coastal 181 and is available for sale at www.Coastal181.com.
022108
Photo
Credits: Ed Otto Headshot (Otto Collection), Powder Puff Derby
Winner (Susan Boudinot), Midget Match Race (Geraldine Bruner
Barberi)
Otto Motorsports
| Otto Motorsports
Tom Moore
Media Relations
office: 615-778-1614 cellular: 615-509-5000
|
|
Digital
images available upon request.
Editors, please do not publish
any contact information other than web sites. Thank
you.
