NASCAR: Race Day Eats
I suppose if you are going to announce a new NASCAR cookbook, the event should take place at a NASCAR race, right? Well, that's just what we did Saturday from the NASCAR Experience Stage at the running of the Jack Link's 500 at the historic Talladega Superspeedway.
Coming this September is NASCAR: Race Day Eats: Tailgate Party Recipes. I had the honor of crafting and photographing 65 recipes, covering everything from appetizers, mains, desserts, and cocktails. I am joined by seasoned NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall, who brings the race to every recipe.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Joey Logano, wrote the forward to the book and joined us on stage to make the announcement.
The book is available for pre-order now everywhere fine books are sold. And for those who have already asked, I will offer signed copies once the publishing date approaches. Thank you for your interest!
If you have followed me for a while, you know I have zero NASCAR experience and zero sporting ability, so not only was it an exciting announcement, it was my first race. My son, a die-hard fan, and Kelly kept my knowledge afloat.
With NASCAR graciously providing a Garage & Pitts pass, I had fantastic access to watch the race. It was quite a thrill to hear the thunderous sound of the pack making their first lap around the 2.66-mile track or watching the pit crews from mere feet away.
When I retired last year from law enforcement, I knew I wanted to write a second cookbook at some point, but I didn't realize it would start only months after turning in my badge. At times, it was a challenging process, as I wondered if I had the creative chops to pull it off. For my entire professional life, I've told myself that if an opportunity scares me, take it. This mantra, or whatever you want to call it, has never let me down, no matter how big "the scare." This process was no different, as I could feel myself pushing into new creative areas. I'm glad I accepted the offer.
I am very thankful for the awesome team at Insight Editions, who were patient, supportive, and dedicated to making this book the best possible. Thank you, Eric & Chrissy!
The book is full of flavorful, approachable, and fun recipes to make your next tailgate or homegate a success. We can't wait for you to see it. Start your grills!