Rolling Thunder Stock Car Racing: First to the Flag

By Don Keith and Kent Wright

In the 200-mile-per-hour world of championship stock car racing, if you aren't the first man to the flag, all the talent and promise in the world ain't worth a bucket of spit. "Rocket Rob" Wilder is everything the fans and those inside big-time car racing knew he could be: daring, polished, talented, and a sure threat to win. His meteoric rise to the top of the tough Grand National division, as well as his thrilling, crowd-pleasing showdowns with some of the other young racers, promise even more success. But you can't bake a pie with nothing but promise. In order to prove he really is the real deal, Wilder is going to have to make the jump into the big league. And that means racing-and beating-the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon. Does the Rocket have what it takes? First to the Flag continues the saga of the men who risk it all to be the first under the checkered flag.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812545079
• ISBN13: 9780812545074
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

This is a big leap forward and yet still on the same level

I have read every book of the series from the beginning up until this one with the exception of Young Guns the one before this one, and yet I didn't really miss anything. I found this book to be just as easy going as the style it is written in and like the rest just as clean. One thing I did miss was the linking of the modern day legends with the roles of the book. If you have read the others you know what I mean as in Richard Petty talking to the likes of Jodell and Bubba and Joe. Maybe they will get back to that in the new one which I have now. Other then that I have one more thing to say. Buy the book and enjoy it you want be let down

Best book of the Rolling Thunder series so far!

Greetings! Mike Irwin of the StockCarFans Newsletters here...I just finished book #6 of the Rolling Thunder series, "First to the Flag".The book tells the tale of "Rocket" Rob Wilder, a young racer discovered at a small out-of-the-way track by the legendary Jodell Lee himself. The discovery gets Rob a job driving in the Grand National series for car owner Billy Winton, formerly "head wrench" for Jodell's Cup team. The Winton Racing Team has a highly visible software firm, Ensoft, as primary sponsor. Ensoft's head of marketing is Michelle Fagan, who just might have a crush on young Wilder. For some reason, though, Michelle introduces Rob to her cute blonde sister, Christy. Rob and Christy hit it off right away, and become "an item".The book follows the path of "Rocket" Rob and Winton Racing through the Grand National season, including Rob's first trip to Daytona to race in the Daytona 300. Will Rob be able to handle the high speeds and drafting? How long will it be until he visits Victory Lane? Will the ol' green-eyed monster mean Rob has to choose between two attractive sisters? Read the book and find out!Of all the books in this great "Rolling Thunder" series, I liked this one the most. The story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are well-developed. The book is extremely clean, and I recommend it for all ages. There is no bad language or adult situations, other than some drinking that ol' moonshine, and some kissing at the door at the end of a date. The book is suspenseful, and exciting, with a little romance and intrigue thrown in for those who enjoy those elements.