At the Altar of Speed: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of Dale Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt was The Man. #3 was The Car. they were the team that made the fear run through their fellow racers. Bump drafting and marking another race car with a tire print was part of Dale's game plan. This book takes the reader behind the scenes in the early life of Dale and how he became the man behind the wheel on race tracks to earn 7 rimes The NASCAR Championship. His love for the race, his fans and especially his family is threaded throughout the book. Daytona 2001 was to be the big race to begin a new season. With Dale driving for Richard Childress the famous black Monte Carlo #3 and having two of his own cars driven by Michael Waltrip and his youngest son, Dale Jr. it was an exciting day that was to be celebrated. But the final lap held Dale's fate in it's hands. Blocking the drivers behind him, he was helping his own two cars push to the checkered flag. They made it across the finish line with Michael winning the race. Dale's final race ended with his entrance not to Victory lane at the trace but one far higher by death which took him to the pearly gates. Many fans share their stories of dealing with the news of Dale's death as well as fellow drivers, team owners and NASCAR ececutives. The book is well written with several pictures that are wonderful. If you are a race fan, you will want to read this and add it to your NASCAR collection.

Unfortunately while my husband and his friends were following Nascar I wasn't paying attention. I went to my first race in Bristol following Earnhardt's death and couldn't help but notice the respect EVERYONE seemed to have for Earnhardt, no matter who they followed. I got this book to learn more. To me it was wonderful, it made you cry in places and in places I laughed out loud while reading it. I really enjoyed it and have already passed it on to someone else to read it. I don't think that you particulary had to be a Nascar or an Earnhardt fan to enjoy it though. It was very entertaining. A good read.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. After being a fan of Dale's for so many years this book actually cleared up a lot of things about him that most people never got to see. It's not a coffee table book, which are good to look at, this book makes you actually see how things really were. The author did an awesome job of portraying Dale as a real man with fears and ambitions. The reader gets to see even the bad sides of Dale. Which is what made Dale the man we all loved or loved to hate as I admit I did for the first several years. But slowly learned to admire his driving and then actually root for him.Awesome! Must Read for any NASCAR/Dale Earnhardt fan.

I love books about NASCAR. As a female fan of the sport, I love to learn about not only the history of NASCAR but about the men who make NASCAR so popular. This book is not only for Dale Earnhardt fans but I would recommend it for those people who didn't like him. I think they will be surprised at how different Dale Earnhardt was off the track. "The Intimidator" only describes his on-track persona.What makes this book a great read is that with each story you can almost hear the sadness in the voices of those folks who have lost a very special friend. Some of the tales told are humorous and with each recollection you learn more about Dale Earnhardt the man, husband, father, and friend. Leigh Montville has put together what I can honestly say is the best tribute to a man who is missed by so many of us. He made me realize NASCAR will never ever be the same without that Goodwrench Black Number 3 Monte Carlo of Dale Earnhardt.Dale, Rest in Peace!

At The Altar Of Speed provides a tribute to Dale Earnhardt, a race car driver who died in February, charting his early involvement with race cars, his rise to the top, and his relationships with friends and fellow drivers. Montville's interviews with peers and friends provides an excellent survey of the man's life and achievements.