Spectacular Sports Series

Who won the first Daytona 500? What do teams do to prepare their cars for 500 miles of hard, high-speed racing? Who gave the Daytona 500 the nickname the "Great American Race"? Learn all about stock car racing's biggest event and the drivers and crew who make it possible in this fascinating, fact-filled book. You will join in the excitement of 43 cars running nose-to-tail and side-by-side at almost 200 miles per hour.

Nothing in wrestling can match the excitement of the main event. It's the match that everyone wants to see, the match that will have fans talking the next day. Author Patrick Jones takes listeners deep inside the world of pro wrestling and shows how its stars - and the wild characters they portray - have turned pro wrestling into a billion-dollar industry. Take a seat and gear up for the greatest show in wrestling - the main event!

Baseball has long been dubbed America's national pastime. When the top teams face off in the World Series each season, team legacies and fans' hearts are on the line. Author Matt Doeden covers the century-long history of the World Series, from its humble beginnings to becoming a worldwide sensation. Discover the drama behind the statistics and record books that keeps the crowds enthralled!

What if a boxer and a wrestler fought? Who would win? What if a fighter skilled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tangled with a foe trained in traditional judo? These were questions that fans of combat sports asked for years, but how to settle it? The answer: mixed martial arts. In this action-packed book, you'll meet the superstars and record holders of mixed martial arts, get behind-the-scenes details about some of its most dramatic moments, and find out what the future holds for this radical hybrid sport.

In 2015, when Ohio State took on the University of Oregon in the first College Football Playoff championship game, millions of sports fans tuned in. But back in 1869, when Rutgers University and Princeton University played the first-ever college football game, no one predicted the national spectacle that a college football championship game would become.

When basketball fans hear the words Final Four, they probably think of the buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories, and bracket-busters that have thrilled people for years. However, you don't need to be a die-hard fan to know that the NCAA men's basketball tournament is one of the most popular sports events in the United States. By the time the tournament of 64 teams has been whittled down to the Final Four, excitement reaches a fever pitch.

When modern baseball fans think of African-American players, they may think of Ken Griffey Jr. or Derek Jeter. But what about the Black stars who didn't play Major League Baseball? In the early 1900s, Black players were not allowed in the Major Leagues. The Negro Leagues provided an alternative for African-American players. Discover the Negro Leagues in this book packed full of facts and stories. Learn about the biggest games and wildest moments of the Negro Leagues era, as well as some of the greatest (and least well-known) players.

The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular sports league in the United States, and the Super Bowl is its grandest stage. The incredible runs, the gutsy defensive stands, and the game-winning touchdown throws are all here. Award-winning sports author Matt Doeden explores the history of the Super Bowl and covers the championship game's greatest moments, from Vince Lombardi leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl I to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots coming from 25 points behind to win Super Bowl LI.

The World Cup is international soccer's championship tournament, and it rules the global sports stage. Award-winning author Matt Doeden explores the history of international soccer and covers the World Cup's greatest moments, from the Save of the Century to Diego Maradona's Hand of God goal to the United States Women's National Team's dominance. The most shocking goals, the greatest upsets, and the fun and fanfare of soccer's biggest event are all here.