I was listing books I read over at Facebook until recently. Not sure when I stopped, but probably about the time I stopped going to the site…heh, for some reason I forgot all about it (I guess that means it isn’t all that “sticky”). Since I sometimes like to babble about the books I read, I’ll just write here. Logical, since I already have the site…
Yes, the links may be Amazon Affiliate links. Don’t get too worried about it — if you click through and buy a book, great! If you don’t, it’s still an easy way to show the cover and give a link to more info.
“Lone Wolf” is by Doug Wolfgang and Dave Argabright. It tells the story of Wolfgang’s racing career, the accident that almost killed him (and subsequent lawsuit) and culminates with what he’s up to these days.
I grew up traveling to races and around sprint cars. I recall going to some of the early World Of Outlaws events in the later 70′s as things were getting started and then following them through the 80′s and 90′s. I remember, back then, it seemed like everything was won by either Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell or Doug Wolfgang. We moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1980 and it was pretty cool when I realized that was (more or less) Wolfgang’s home city as well.
In spite of all that, I wasn’t real gung-ho to read the book at first. Not sure why, but it just didn’t “grab” me, I think I was afraid it would be too dry. My parents both read it and left it for me to read, so I figured I’d give it a try over the holidays.
It draws you in. While I’ve never sat down and had a conversation with Wolfgang, I’ve had chances to lurk in the background and listen to him. While reading this book, it’s almost like listening to him tell the stories. I could hear his voice and could almost picture the expressions on his face. I’ve been to those tracks. I saw some of the races he talked about. It was very interesting to hear his take on things — all things and any things; the man ain’t shy. 
Most of the book is about his career. How he started, where he raced and who he drove for. If you’ve had any involvement with sprint car racing around the midwest, there will definitely be names you’ve heard before. The latter part talks about the big crash and subsequent burns with a chapter with “his side” of the subsequent lawsuit.
Good stuff and if you enjoy a good biography, racing or sprint cars you will want to give it a shot. I really enjoyed it.
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