The 200-MPH Billboard: The Inside Story of How Big Money Changed NASCAR

by Mark Yost and Brian Williams

Book Overview

What began on the dusty racetracks of the rural South is now a world-class enterprise, as closely watched by Wall Street as by hometown racing fans. How NASCAR grew from its provincial roots to become a big business of international proportions is the story Mark Yost tells in The 200-MPH Billboard . A seasoned sports and business reporter for the Wall Street Journal and contributor to the New York Times and the Sports Business Journal , Yost demystifies the economics and politics behind NASCAR sponsorship. His book takes us behind the scenes of some of the head-turning corporate deals that altered the way NASCAR does business. From Junior Johnson's contract with Darrell Waltrip and Mountain Dew, which announced a significant change, to deals between the likes of Dale Jr. and Budweiser, Tony Stewart and Home Depot, NASCAR and Fox Television, this book clearly tracks the subtle and not-so-subtle transformations that corporate sponsorship has wrought in recent years. And it offers a rare insider's look at what these changes have meant for NASCAR and its devoted fans.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760328129
• ISBN13: 9780760328125
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Motorbooks International
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The business of NASCAR

If you are a big fan of NASCAR (as I am), then you need to understand there is a business behind the sport. This book explores the business aspects of the sport and the money involved. It's an easy read and a fascinating book.

NASCAR is a Great Business

Did you know that most NASCAR fans can easily identify a sponsor of their favorite driver? This is why NASCAR became so big. Loyal fans are very aware of sponsoring brands and are highly likely to buy products of sponsors associated with NASCAR or their favorite driver. Sponsors pour more money into the sport because they see a return on their investment. It is a win-win situation for everyone: fans, sponsors, drivers, and track owners. The author of this book did a great job walking readers through the history of the sport. Drivers used to struggle financially and now many of them are multi-millionaires. This all started with the ban of Cigarette companies' advertisement on television. They had to find other places to advertise. That's how sponsoring dollars found NASCAR. Other companies followed and the rest is history. - Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

Interesting background

For the NASCAR fan, or for those who don't understand how millions of people can watch cars drive in circles for hours, this book reveals how big business drove the consumer to the racetrack. It provides a look at the fascinating history of the sport. While clearly well researched, I found the writing annoying when the author repeatedly makes a statement, followed by the words: but more about that later. You need an excellent memory to follow the thread of information.