1001 Drag Racing Facts

by Doug Boyce

Spanning the 1950s through the 1980s, 1001 Drag Racing Facts is packed with well-researched drag racing facts that even some of the most hard-core drag racing fans might be surprised to learn. Covered are all the popular classes of racing of the era, including Top Fuelers, Funny Cars, Pro Stocks, Eliminators such as Gassers and Altereds, Stocks, Super Stocks, and more. Fans of these legendary cars will appreciate the technical and entertaining information shared on every page about all of the great cars, teams, drivers, and classes. Author Doug Boyce is well known for his encyclopedia-like knowledge of drag racing facts. The detail in his previous books, such as Grumpy's Toys, Junior Stock and Drag Racing's Quarter Mile Then and Now , proves he is up to the task of sharing everything you never knew about drag racing in the golden era. Whether you're an avid fan of nostalgia drags, a trivia buff who wants to stump friends, or simply a fan of the big and powerful drag cars of the 1950s through the 1980s, this book is an informative and entertaining collection of facts from one of the industry's most respected sources.

334 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2015

Reviews

[C. John Kerry]

I actually started this book a few years ago. Given how the book was set up I was reading it while watching my children bowl in a Saturday league. Given that the book is comprised of numbered facts it was easy to put down when my kids were bowling and then pick up again when it was someone else's turn. However I stopped going and then we moved so the book got lost. Finally found it and decided to get it finished. I used to watch drag racing regularly at one time so some of the names in here were familiar, but there were a lot that weren't. The way the book is set up there are basically 1001 facts, or stories, each of which is individually numbered. This means each individual item is quite short, which makes it an easy book to read in a situation where you might be putting it down and then picking up over a period of time, such as watching your kids bowl.
Still I enjoyed this book and found it interesting. As a I said, because of the time I was watching drag racing, some of the names he talks about were familiar to me, but there were plenty that were not. Some old-timers I have heard of, but have not necessarily seen them race. Still that is a nice thing about books such as this, you get to learn something you didn't know before.
To be honest there was only one drawback to this book. Unfortunately when he dipped into the technical stuff much of it was over my head. Ah well, such is life.
One little story I want to mention is a best of five match race that was held in 1967. It took place at Mohawk Raceway in 1967. If you are wondering which racers were involved the answer is none. This race involved Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks and Eddie Shack of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given that his nickname was "The Entertainer" it is not surprising to see Shack involved in this sort of thing. Anyway, this was a fun book to read. If you are a drag racing fan then this is one book that if you don't already have you are likely going to want to see if you can get yourself a copy. Happy reading.

[Michelle Arredondo]

Thanks to CarTech I received a copy of their book 1001 Drag Racing Facts: The Golden Age of Top Fuel, Funny Cars, Door Slammers & More by Doug Boyce. A whopper of a book...talk about heavy..pages much like a magazine or catalog only slightly thicker which kinda gives the feel of something definitely not cheap. Chock full of information on all things 'Drag Racing'..it is obvious that a lot of work and effort and research was put into this book. Doug Boyce surely has a hobby and he loves his hobby greatly. The whole set-up of the book is pretty intricate. There are chapters...and within those chapters there is dated sections (the 60's, 70's..etc) and further still within that is the list..from 1 to 1001. There are also photos throughout.

I am not the hugest fan of drag racing...but wait, before you think "then why the heck is she reading and reviewing this book??!!" I was interested in this book because my husband is a huge fan of all kinds of cars..particularly drag cars and I have sat through many a conversation about his love for car racing. Being that I am a huge fan of reading I thought I would delve into his love for cars through my love for reading so I could see what all the fuss is about, and let me tell ya, I am glad that I did. I discovered a way to find something that I was not completely interested in into something that I am over here "googling" in between chapters. And I must admit it is an intriguing world. Again, chock full of facts...stuff that interested me and I learned a thing or two that's for sure. From the "Bean bandits"(the first organized drag racing team) to what are "funny cars" to the "Stone, Woods, and Cook Willys" to Chester "Chet" Herbert...it's basically a bible for the Drag Racing Junkie no doubt.

What's even a bigger bonus is my husband was thrilled to go through it. He absolutely loved every bit of it and he is not a reader...so nothing more amazing than to catch him fumbling through it on more than one occasion. From that he would become fascinated with something he did not know before and from there it would spark yet another 'car' conversation. Even better yet is that my husband being a car salesman is more than excited for me to allow him to take this book to work so he can share with the guys there (so long as he promised to bring it right back in good condition to be placed back into my library).

Doug Boyce has done the history of Drag Racing right by putting all these great facts and pictures into one book. A book to have and sift through here and there...a great gift idea for any man (or woman) that love cars and the history of them. And the quality, feel, look of it, does not disappoint (ok well maybe If I were Doug I might have gone with a truly bad a$$ photo of two cars revving to race as the ultimate motivating cover instead of the cartoonish looking photo used that makes it kinda look like we are about to read a children's book..and maybe I would have really loved a section that had deeper interviews from these car guys and gals where there was just a little more juicy behind the scene gossip of rivalry and hot heads and so forth...but that's just me nit-picking (and being a woman) and probably better suited for another type of book but it's also a sign that I really enjoyed the smaller tidbits that were shared and just wanted more).

Thanks to the peeps over at LibraryThing for accepting my request and Mr. Doug Bryce for making this book possible for me to receive in exchange for an honest review to which I happily gave!!

[Hal]

This CarTech book by Doug Boyce covers the golden age of drag racing which was primarily the 60's and 70's. As always they have done another great job in laying out the book and coming up with over 1,000 facts and fun things about drag racing that even a casual fan will enjoy. It's packed with photos and every topic imaginable on Funnies, Eliminators, Pro Stocks, Diggers, Supers, and Tracks. It would have been nice to have color photos but still there is a lot to like about the book and a worthwhile addition for collectors of the sport.

[Jim]

great Christmas present or father's day gift.