Before Stewart and Gordon, Earnhardt and Bodine, or even Keselowski and Edwards took center stage in NASCAR, Richard Petty and David Pearson stood as the sport’s premier on-track rivalry. Now, veteran NASCAR writer Mike Hembree’s new book, Petty vs. Pearson: The Rivalry That Shaped NASCAR, breaks down this rivalry and its impact on NASCAR.
Throughout their storied careers, both Petty and Pearson had iconic moments and drove iconic cars. The two drivers combined for eight Daytona 500 victories, ten NASCAR Cup Series Championships, and 305 race wins.
In an interview with Rick Houston of The Scene Vault Podcast, Hembree revealed that this book initially began as a David Pearson biography, eventually evolving into the story of both drivers’ careers.
With interviews and insight, this book covers all the great moments the two shared on the track during their 551 simultaneous starts, alongside their friendship off the track. Hembree also explores how the two NASCAR Hall of Famers made their way to NASCAR and handled key changes in the sport during their careers.
NASCAR fans may recognize Mike Hembree for his work with Autoweek, the SPEED Channel, and the NASCAR Scene. Hembree, a seven-time National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year recipient, has also written an assortment of eye-catching NASCAR books similar to Petty vs. Pearson.
A hardcover version of the 240-page Petty vs. Pearson is already available for purchase and retails for $29.99. You can purchase a physical or ebook version of Petty vs. Pearson via the Barnes & Noble website.
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