True Speed: My Racing Life

by Tony Stewart, Mark Bourcier

Some people probably wish Tony Stewart would just shut up and drive. His detractors think he has a big mouth and is prone to temper tantrums. But, really, #20's problem is that he's too honest and, as Tony says, "in this sport, honesty can get you in a lot of trouble." But you can't take the drive out of the man. Tony Stewart is one of the most controversial stars to hit the Winston Cup scene, famous for his four-letter outbursts and badass behavior. In True Speed, he takes you on a no-holds-barred trip around the track, to the pit stop, and behind the scenes. NASCAR's 1999 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year has been penalized, slammed, and knocked around. He has spun out Jeff Gordon's car -- on pit road no less. He has had shouting matches, brawls, and heated "discussions" with other drivers and NASCAR officials. He has clashed with reporters, sometimes physically, all the while maintaining one of his core honesty. "I'm not always the easiest guy to interview. But I do think I'm one of the most honest, and that's not going to change." Stewart will not accept defeat. He knows that he wasn't born to be a loser, and he justifies it with stark honesty between these pages. True Speed, told by Tony himself, discusses it from playing with Matchbox cars to actually racing go-karts, midgets, and stock cars. In True Speed Tony doesn't only talk about the simple details of the tracks or the cars, he discusses the science of the the machines, the brakes, the tires, and the tracks. He also describes the mental and physical challenges he has to endure on every ride, the head games the job can play on him, the claustrophobia he suffers from, as well as the lifestyle and pressures of the job. In three full seasons of competition in the NASCAR Winston Cup series, Tony Stewart has compiled one of the most impressive records in series history. But True Speed tells more than Tony's NASCAR tale. His reputation was made in midgets and sprints and Silver Crown cars; later, in 1997 and 1998, he established himself as an Indy Racing League star. He recounts his open-wheel days fondly and in great detail. Tony Stewart's story is one of a gritty racing fast, uncompromising, and nothing less than a checkered flag.

Genres: Sports, Racing, Biography, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Laken Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I learned so much about Smoke that I never knew about his early days.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for my brother and like any good sister would do, I read it before I gave it to him.
I am by no means the biggest Smoke fan out there, but I am a NASCAR fan and I like Tony's style. (Of course, I can't help but kinda cheer him on being that he is my brother's driver), so this was enjoyable read. A lot of it was set in the days before I was a fan and so I had to translate the races in my head. (He doesn't talk about Nationwide, but rather Busch series, Winston Cup, not Sprint Cup)
It was not a hard read, but a fun way to kill a few hours and let me be able to talk more with my brother about his driver.
Nice to see how Tony got started and where he ended up. I liked that it was so much later when I read the book, as I know now, things that he wrote that he wanted to accomplish in his career, he did.

[Rick Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gift from my sister because she knows what a huge Tony Stewart fan I am. Like a lot of bios that are ghost written it is extremely easy reading. It is by no means thought provoking. It is just simply a glimpse inside of Tony's head and heart. This book is all about his racing career from age 8 or so until 2002 when it was written. if you are a fan of the man called Smoke this is an enjoyable read with anecdotes from the man himself and those that know him best. If you are not a diehard fan, skip this one.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book. Tony makes it clear what he values and how he got to where he was by 2002. (when the book was written.) I am a fan but my appreciation for this thoughtful, generous, passionate, competitive, truthful and outspoken man has grown deeper. A good read for anyone who enjoys NASCAR.

[Vasilka]

Got this book for my 27th birthday & Tony just signed it on September 6, 2007 :)

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I like to watch Tony race even though he hasn't done well this past season I thought this book made him out to be an arrogant jerk. I truly hope this is not his true self and personality.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Smoke. The book was a great insight to who he is as a person & race car driver.

[Kellyanne Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him or hate him, his book gives you a glimpse at what makes him tick - and it's definitely exciting!