Newburyport, MA, April 15, 2007 – Motorsports publisher Coastal 181 announced today the availability of STEADY EDDIE, Memories of Ed Flemke, Modified Racing’s Fastest Professor.  This stunning new biography of Eddie Flemke, one of America ’s greatest all-time stock car drivers, is edited and annotated by Bones Bourcier , author of acclaimed books on Tony Stewart, Richie Evans, Bugsy Steve ns, and Bill Simpson.

A New Britain , CT , native, Flemke raced from 1948 to 1978, winning over 500 features along the way.  Early victories came at such New England outlaw tracks as Connecticut’s West Haven, New London, and Plainville; Riverside Park in Massachusetts; and Menands in New York. In the 1960s Flemke was the leader of the so-called Eastern Bandits, a loose-fit group of New England racers who terrorized tracks from Maine to the Carolinas with their driving skills and checker-winning ways.  By the 1970s, Flemke was spending more time on the local circuits and developing renown as a cutting-edge builder of racing chassis.

Popular and successful as he was, however, there was always something a little different about Flemke.  Diminutive in stature and understated in temperament, he somehow managed to outmuscle the more broadshouldered and flashy competitors of his day.

Additionally, in a time when wild abandon on and off the speedway was often condoned–even encouraged–Flemke was a calming source of reason and fairness for the entire racing community.  He became a widely respected coach and mentor, and pupils such as Pete Hamilton, Ron Bouchard, and Denny Zimmerman went on to great success on the superspeedways.

Bones Bourcier, who grew up not far from Flemke’s shop, has presented Eddie Flemke’s story in an unusual and engaging way, through the eyes and words of 21 racing personalities and Flemke family members. He has perfectly captured the feel of short-track racing in this key time in its history, as well as the persona of one of its greatest players.

STEADY EDDIE will make its debut at the Stafford Speedway Spring Sizzler on Sunday, April 29, where Bones Bourcier and others featured in the book will be signing copies.

STEADY EDDIE is 256 pages and filled with historic photographs.  It is available at $23.95 plus $6.00 S&H from Coastal 181, 29 Water Street , Newburyport , MA 01950 .  Phone orders are taken toll free at 877-907-8181 or online at www.coastal181.com