Lots of students, especially boys, are interested in car racing.  This book gives them the history of auto racing as well as the numbers involved.  In car racing, the main number people care about is speed–how fast can a car go?  Car racing has been around longer than people think, as early as the mid 1890’s.  By the early 1900’s, cars were topping speeds over 120 mph.  Cash prizes were awarded to people who could build cars going great distances.  Large money prizes have always been awarded in big races.  In 1911, the first ever Indy 500 (500 miles) was held with a $25,000 prize; in 1912, the prize was $50,000.  Now, as it was then, money seems to follow the cars.