"In 1977, Janet Guthrie made front-page headlines across America and sent editorial writers scurrying for their typewriters when she breached the male bastion of auto racing to become the first woman competitor to run in the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. The world had never seen a race car driver quite like her." "In Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle, Guthrie has crafted an autobiography that stands as a testament to perseverance, resilience and courage. Meticulous in its detail, this is an account of one athlete's demonstration that, physically, emotionally and mentally, women are as well equipped as men to compete in the utterly demanding and occasionally deadly sport of auto racing." "Guthrie's narrative captures the complexity of the racing business and the essence of the racing life, both on the track and off. She details the physical, emotional and intellectual demands of the sport. She recounts the barriers she overcame in a business fueled as much by machismo as gasoline, recalling moments of isolation, dejection and frustration, but also the moments of sheer joy and exhilaration that marked her journey. And she shares with readers the adrenaline rush of steering a race car through the turns at close to 200 miles per hour." "But more than a racing story, Guthrie provides an examination of changing attitudes in the 1970s, when, due in part to the women's movement, America underwent fundamental social change. Amid the turmoil, Guthrie's arrival at Indianapolis and Daytona became a lightning rod for backlash." "Ultimately she earned the respect of the racing fraternity and the admiration of America, particularly among women. But first she had to suffer the anger, scorn and derision of other drivers, media and fans who clung to antiquated notions of a woman's place in society. She recounts outrageous comments from elite drivers like Richard Petty and Bobby Unser, ridicule from some of the nation's most respected sportswriters, and hate mail from fans. Yet she was unflinching in her quest to succeed." "Always an adventurer, never a follower, forever a pioneer, Guthrie smashed barriers to emerge as a heartfelt voice for females of her generation, an Amelia Earhart for the modern age."--BOOK JACKET.