Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a racing driver in the EGT Championship and the Super Cup Stock Car Series, a motorsports television producer, and co-host of Mecum collector car auctions on NBCSN. I’ve written about a dozen books on various automotive and motorsports topics.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Porsche Legend: The Can-Am L&M Penske Porsche That Made Racing History,” was just released on Kindle. The “L&M Porsche” is one of the most famous and recognizable racing cars in history and we had the honor of transferring it to a new owner at the Mecum auction in Monterey. Having seen the car in person and researched its history, my interest was piqued and writing the book was a real pleasure.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I insist on digging down to the original source or the person who was there at the time. I want the most direct source possible for every story. That was once just considered good journalism, it’s a shame that it’s become rare today.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Floyd Clymer and Jack Fox wrote excellent material on the Indianapolis 500 back in the 20th century. I love motorsports history and their books are among my most prized.
What are you working on now?
The Stephen Cox Blog keeps me pretty busy, in addition to my own racing schedule and my work with NBCSN and Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions. Lately I’ve been collecting early 20th century letters and documents relating to Indiana’s Winchester Speedway.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The more books we give away, the more people buy. Seems counterintuitive, but it works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to copy styles from your favorite authors. It will eventually morph into your own, and you will find that you begin to like your own material.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper names.”
What are you reading now?
Ford Midsize Muscle by Marc Cranswick, a nicely done hardback telling the story of one of my all time favorite cars, the Ford Torino.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My children keep asking me to write a racing autobiography but my interests lie in motorsports history. Those two projects are competing for my time right now.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“A French Kiss With Death” by Michael Keyser, the story of Steve McQueen and the making of the film “Le Mans.” Floyd Clymer’s history of the Indianapolis 500. David Newhardt’s “Art of the Muscle Car,” and the Gospel of Luke.
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