Circle of Hope: An Inspiring Nascar Journey

On June 17, 2006, unknown part-time driver David Gilliland brought his homemade car and can-do attitude to Kentucky Speedway. With just seven NASCAR starts, his best Nationwide finish was 29th. But that night he achieved one of the sport's greatest upsets ever. Circle of Hope: An Inspiring NASCAR Journey profiles fascinating lesser-known drivers in NASCAR's two top series through joy and triumph, disappointment and defeat. Journalist Deann Alford follows hope-driven stories of Sprint Cup driver David Reutimann; NASCAR legend Morgan Shepherd; ARCA truck champion Brett Rowe; Nationwide driver Eric McClure; and David Gilliland whose spectacular win landed on NASCAR media's ballot for "Race of the Decade." This book offers behind-the-scenes portraits of drivers and those covering the sport, plus vignettes with stars Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Trevor Bayne and celebrated dirt racer Buzzie Reutimann. Each provided the author with hope amid her own darkest season of grief. Circle of Hope brings refreshing encouragement to those needing hope, no matter their walk, in their own battles of life.

As a journalist, Deann Alford has written about ordinary people taking extraordinary action for good amid death and tragedy. She travels to countries such as Pakistan, Gaza, Nigeria and Colombia-places that are far away, exotic, and potentially lethal. She has interviewed the powerful (George W. Bush) and the dispossessed (homeless churchgoers in Waco, Texas). Her beat is the world of human hurt and human hearts. But her son caught an affinity for things that go vroom, and that introduced her to NASCAR. An Internet search revealed a fascinating world that enhanced race-watching Sunday afternoons as a family. It ultimately inspired this book in which NASCAR fans, casual and devout alike, will find hope that they, too, can achieve their own dreams. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas.