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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Regardless of what life path you choose, people along the way help guide the direction you go. Here are just a few individuals who shaped my life and career path. In one way or another, each has helped make this book possible.

Lou Close: My dad, and the man who instilled in me the love of fast cars.

Vince Sweeney, Tom Beebe, John Quinn, Phil Hall, Hal Hamrick, Steve Waid, Ben White, Dick Berggren, Chris Economaki, and Glen Grissom: great editors who provided opportunities for me to be a motorsports journalist.

Dick Moore, Wayne Erickson, Terry Tucker, and the Deery family (Jody, Tom, Jack, David, and Chuck): Midwest track promoters who provided racing-related public relations opportunities early in my career.

Dennis Huth: former NASCAR Winston Racing Series and Craftsman Truck Series director who championed my entrance into NASCAR.

Tom Cotter: NASCAR Public Relations firm manager who provided my first NASCAR Winston Cup PR job in 1994.

Benny Parsons, Buddy Baker, and Neil Bonnett: NASCAR legends who befriended and mentored me as a NASCAR “newbie.”

Rich Bickle: Wisconsin superstar short-track racer who redirected my life totally when he made me his NASCAR race-day spotter.

Jim Gresham: true gentleman, racer, and friend who provided great opportunities for me in the “twilight” of my professional motorsports career.

Gail and Sam Close: my wife and son, who have provided a life with me I would have never dreamed possible.