-
Details
Pro Stock is a unique class of racing, and one that has changed considerably over the years. In its early years, Pro Stock was similar to the Super Stock era from a decade before, in that it featured cars that seemed to be a lot like a hot rod version of what people were driving on the street. While the engines were a little bigger and nastier than most street versions, they were not that far removed, and fans could really relate to cars like 'Cudas, Mustangs, Camaros, Mavericks, and Vegas going at it on Sunday afternoon. These mostly stock-bodied cars were, after all, what most fans wanted their own street version to be.
Over the years, as always seems to happen in racing, the original vision morphs into something completely different, and in the case of Pro Stock, that meant tube frames and flip-up fiberglass bodies that resemble nothing seen on the street. And in that, there becomes a little bit of a disconnect with the fans, whose interest in Pro Stock originated in the relative stock appearance of the cars. For this reason The Dawn of Pro Stock by Steve Reyes is a celebration of the early years, when fans could really connect with the cars, and brand rivalries were intense.
Legendary drag racing photographer Reyes was trackside at the biggest and best NHRA events from the mid 1960s throughout the 1990s. He had a unique perspective on the development of Pro Stock, as he was able to document the evolution of both the cars and drivers as he observed them throughout the season. For a genuine insider's view, Steve has gotten together the very best shots he had, and supplemented them with some great images from his contemporaries to offer this new collection. Steve's own observations punctuate the outstanding images to give the reader a trackside view of Pro Stock's early days unlike any offered before.
Publication Date:01/18/2013Publisher: CarTech -
Reviews
The Midwest Book Review
"Filled with black and white and color photography all throughout, this read of the history of the sport is intriguing and hard to overlook for those curious about the sport and wanting to learn more. The Dawn of Pro Stock is a must for any racing history collections, highly recommended." -The Midwest Book Review, March 2013
Hemmings Muscle Machines
"...The text is incisive, including biographies of all the class biggies, and is sprinkled with candids, period ads, magazine outtakes and the various mishaps that passed before Steve's camera. An overdue book, and one you won't want to miss." -Jim Donnelly, Hemmings Muscle Machines, June 2013
American Car Magazine
"You get a fascinating potted career history of each of about two dozen drivers and teams; however, the real stars of the title are the photographs. The author is a long-time Pro Stock fanatic and even longer-time trackside photographer, and the 300 or so breathtaking color and black-and-white photos in this title are what make it great. They're the main reason you're going to buy this book, but don't worry, it's still a damn good read. -American Car Magazine, June 2013
-
Reader Reviews
Customer Reviews
2 Item(s)
per page- Best ON-track and OFF-track action... Review by -a-d-
- Started reading this book soon as it arrived. This was a great flash back to eponymous era. Really enjoyed seeing not just on track action like burnouts and side-by-side racing, but also the behind-the-scenes and off-track action as well, such as drivers and mechanics working tirelessly to repair their rides, towing action, family involvement. It was also very neat to see some tie-in to racers who still are involved today. Finally, to add a true touch from the seventies era, depictions of full page ads from that time were also included. Overall, very informative, very descriptive and chalked full of pictures making it easy to feel like I was really there! (Posted on 2/23/13)
- Brings Back Great Memories of Drag Racing Review by Michael
- This book is filled with professional and fan photographs of the Pro Stock cars and drivers. The photographs alone make this book worth while. But in addition the author highlights the first drivers to move from Super Stock or Funny Cars into the Pro Stock class of Drag Racing. Hidden within these snippets of driver history are the class and regulation changes that the NHRA implemented over the course of this decade. These changes of course necessitated a modification of the cars too stay competitive or even compete. I was a fan and member of NHRA Drag Racing events and spent ever weekend the raceway was open in the pits and watching the races. I even raced in the late seventies in the Street Class and then later the Super Street Class. It was an exciting time and I think this short book catches a bit of that. (Posted on 2/14/13)
2 Item(s)
per page -
Author Bio
Steve Reyes
Steve Reyes is the author of previous CarTech drag racing photo books Fuel Altereds Forever, Funny Car Fever and Quarter-Mile Chaos. He is one of the most noteworthy and respected drag racing photographers in history. Reyes is also recognized for his outstanding photography skills in other sports coverage as well, especially for his work covering NHL hockey. From the 1960s-1990s, he was the staff photographer for Popular Hot Rodding magazine and published both new and vintage imagery in every issue. He has also shot and written car features for Super Chevy and Street Rodder magazine, along with a wide range of motorcycle and chopper magazine features.
More titles by this author
CarTech authors on MotorMouth Radio
CarTech authors appear on MotorMouth Radio
read moreChevelle Author Competes in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational
read more
Steve Magnante at SEMA
read more
