MEDIA ALERT: Ed Otto, NASCAR's Silent Partner

What: Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner, a new book on the life of Ed Otto, an early partner in NASCAR and motorsports pioneer Who: Edgar Otto, son and co-author with Joann Biondi When: The book will be launched February 12 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Interview opportunities available. Few fans of auto racing might know the name Ed Otto. However, it is safe to say the sport would be a very different thing today if not for the cigar-chewing, super-promoter from New Jersey. On February 12, Otto’s son Edgar, himself an accomplished entrepreneur and historic stock car racer, will launch a detailed look back at his father, the early days of the boom of motorsports and NASCAR with firsthand accounts, documented histories and insights from the men who lived in those dramatic times. Ed Otto, NASCAR’s Silent Partner is published by Coastal 181. In a time of firsts in motorsports, Otto was the first among pioneers. The First To: - Utilize TV to broadcast races - Use airplanes to transport drivers from one event to another - Promote a motorsports event at Yankee Stadium (motorcycles) - Promote safety of the drivers including the use of safety harnesses - Join the original NASCAR owners group (as a silent partner) with a 20% stake - Take NASCAR “national”/ out of the South - Set precedent by stopping the unionization attempt by the AFL of race car drivers - Promote a NASCAR race out of the country – July 1, 1952 at Stamford Park, Niagara Falls, Canada - Promote NASCAR Grand National race at Chicago’s Soldier Field, 1956 - Promote NASCAR races at Polo Grounds in Manhattan, 1958 - Promote a NASCAR race with foreign cars – July 21, 1953 at Langhorne (PA) Speedway - Promote a NASCAR road race – held at Linden, NJ Airport – won by a Jaguar, the first foreign manufacturer to win a Cup race, June 13, 1954. - Promote NASCAR’s longest race, the 12-hour Linden, NJ Airport event, 1954 - Promote NASCAR races at Watkins Glenn, NY, 1957 - Help promote the first Daytona 500, 1959 - Organize a NASCAR race in California by bringing promoter Bob Barkheimer into the NASCAR fold - Promote Richard Petty’s first Grand National event, 1958 - Promote the Winter Nationals drag races – under the NASCAR banner and co-promoted with Wally Parks - To take-on the AAA by creating the NASCAR Automobile Association with travel benefits for national members, to help raise funds for NASCAR