Ed Otto, NASCAR's Silent Partner Launches with Great Interest from Legends and Fans Alike

Sales of New Book on Motorsports Pioneer Off to “Brisk” Start DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 21, 2008 – The launch party for Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner attracted the legends of the sport on February 12. Since, the book has attracted not only the interest of auto racing insiders but fans as well. The Daytona Beach launch, as well as the Living Legends of Auto Racing Awards Banquet the following day, drew many of NASCAR’s luminaries to discuss history-making promoter Ed Otto and the new book on his life. Those on hand to celebrate the debut of the biography of the motorsports pioneer and former NASCAR vice president included NASCAR’s Jim France, son of NASCAR founder “Big” Bill France and an executive with NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), NASCAR President Mike Helton and Motorsports Images and Archives Director Eddie Roche. NASCAR champions in attendance at the Living Legends Banquet included seven-time champion Richard Petty and two-time champion Ned Jarrett. Sales of the hardbound book are off to a “brisk” start according to publishers Coastal 181. In its first week on the market, the biography written by Otto’s son, Edgar, and Joann Biondi has enjoyed significant success. In fact, Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner is proving to be a “must have” for motorsports historians and dedicated fans.
Jarrett, who was the Master of Ceremonies at the Living Legends event, expounded on the book’s ability to draw the reader into the history of the sport. Other motorsports notables that took part in one of the two events included drivers Frankie Schneider, Bill Wimble, Rex White, Bill Claren, Ralph Liguori and Jim Bray. Promoters and track owners present at the launch included Hilly Rife, Hal Hamrick and Jay Milligan. Representatives from major national and local media outlets were also present.
Otto was a true pioneer of auto racing. He brought some of the greatest innovations the sport has ever known including the use of television to broadcast races and the chartering of airplanes to transport race cars from one event to another. He joined NASCAR’s original owners group, as a silent partner, with a 20 percent stake in 1949. In 1954 that share grew to 40 percent making Otto an equal partner with Bill France, Sr. in NASCAR. He sold his shares to France in 1963.
Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner helps tell the real story of the time and how it influenced the events of today. In addition to the true, behind-the-scenes tales are insightful interviews with Petty, Junior Johnson, Mel Larson, Francis Flock, Cotton Owens, Hershel McGriff, Humpy Wheeler, Jay Signore, Linda Vaughn and others. The 197 page work enjoys never before or seldom seen pictures from NASCAR’s earliest days as well as rare images from Otto-promoted events across North America. Excerpts from the many interviews in the book include:
“France needed Otto if he ever wanted to get out of the South.” - Richard Petty, Seven-Time NASCAR Champion “Otto was a real pioneer, and he is still very much a part of racing today.” - Humpy Wheeler, President and General Manager, Lowe’s Motor Speedway “[Otto] changed the way the sport was viewed… he helped make it acceptable.” - Chris Economaki, Editor and Publisher Emeritus, National Speed Sport News Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner is being published by Coastal 181 and is available for sale at www.Coastal181.com .