In Petty vs. Pearson, veteran motorsport journalist Mike Hembree examines how the co-dominance of drivers Richard Petty and David Pearson helped drive NASCAR to national prominence. Get the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon. The battle for NASCAR dominance was never more pronounced than when Richard Petty and David Pearson met on the track. In 551 head-to-head races between 1960 and 1986, they finished one-two an astounding 63 times (Pearson won 33, Petty 30). Each showdown attracted more media attention and new fans, helping the sport to evolve evermore rapidly. Petty vs. Pearson is the only book to examine this storied relationship, beginning with their pre-Winston Cup careers. Throughout the riveting text, Hembree draws on original interviews with both drivers (including interviews conducted with Petty in early 2024), those who witnessed the rivalry, and NASCAR figures who came later. The result is an entertaining and essential account of two storied drivers-and friends-who bridged NASCAR’s rollicking early years and the sophisticated entertainment concern it is today. Featuring a foreword by Terry Labonte, a legendary driver in his own right, Petty vs. Pearson is a must-have for every fan’s collection.”
