Silent Thunder: Breaking Through Cultural, Racial, and Class Barriers in Motorsports

Every once in a while, a story comes along that enrages, enlightens and inspires all at once. Silent Thunder, the highly anticipated memoir of legendary autoracing veteran Lenny Miller is one such story. It offers a rare and surprising inside look at the struggles and triumphs of some of the most courageous men and women in motorsports--African Americans. Whether you're a racing fan or a black history enthusiast, the author's deeply personal chronicle of his remarkable forty-year career as a manager and owner of African American teams is a gripping testimonial to the empowered underdog in all of us.

From inside the pits where resourcefulness defines victory or defeat, to behind the wheel with nothing but the smell of adrenaline and fear, to the plush upholstered offices of corporate sponsors where truth can be treacherous, Silent Thunder is an engrossing read that moves at lightening speed. The author also shares fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes featuring such names as Howard Cossell, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, Skip Barber, Clarence Thomas, Malcolm Durham, Wendell Scott, Linda Lovelace, Don King, and many others.

Lenny Miller's narrative acumen is eclipsed only by his engrossing honesty. Silent Thunder is a compelling window into the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of injustice, humiliation, and even cruelty. Yet, while it exposes the underbelly of racism and elitism in one of America's most beloved sports, it also celebrates the hope and possibility for change.

Leonard W. Miller, a veteran of both amateur and professional motor racing, has owned and managed teams in NASCAR, USAC, SCCA, IMSA, and the NHRA. In 1972, he entered a team in the Indianapolis 500 and in 1975 participated in the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix as one of the top 60 teams in the world. Miller was inducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame for his achievements in autoracing and is an expert historian regarding African American involvement in motorsports