Description

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Short Track documents the world of semi-professional dirttrack racing: from the downtrodden bombers and high-endstock cars, to the fans, drivers, and mechanics' lives onand off the track. With roots going back to prohibition-erarum runners, stock car racing has evolved into a nationalphenomenon and become America's second-most watchedtelevised sport. For racing enthusiasts, hot days spentsweating over busted engines and damaged bodies give wayto nights of tearing up the earth in front of a crowd, mudspraying from tires with the pedal jammed down and theadrenaline cranked up.

The "short track" is any oval track less than a half-mile round,and countless semi-pro races are held weekly on dirt shorttracks across the country. Drivers in these events race atbreakneck speeds, seeking triumph while courting disaster,and spectators know there is as good a chance of witnessinga crash as getting a first look at NASCAR's next up-and-comer.Mendel traveled to the Deep South, Arizona, and NewMexico-hotbeds of stock car racing-in order to capture theraw power and gritty determination of life on the short track.As most drivers can't afford their expensive hobby, many relyon assistance from family and friends, and even from fellowcompetitors, in order to maintain their cars. But for the diehards,stock car racing is more than a sport; it is a way oflife. Short Track puts readers in the passenger's seat foran up close ride-along through the world of America's mostdangerous, grease-splattered, high-octane, pastime.

About the Author

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Jake Mendel is a photographer living in Santa Fe. He wasborn and raised in Alabama, and he received his BS fromthe University of Alabama in 1971. Although he harboreda passion for photography, he put it aside to pursue acareer with his father's company. In 1999 he left thefamily business to return to photography full-time. Sincethen, Mendel's photographs have been included in varioussolo and group exhibitions throughout New Mexico andAlabama. Darius Himes is a founding member and Acquiring Editorof Radius Books, a non-profit, Santa Fe-based art bookpublisher created in 2007. Prior to that he was the Editorof photo-eye Booklist, a quarterly magazine devoted tophotography books. He is also a lecturer, consultant,educator, and writer, having contributed to Aperture, BlindSpot, Bookforum, BOMB, PDN, and American Photo.