THE RACER

About the Book

Most people have a hobby of some sort—golf, hiking, reading, bridge, bird watching, quilting, cooking, archeology, and yes, even writing. In our society, everyone is free to pursue his or her own interest and there is a wide range to choose from. Racing is of huge interest to millions of people, and racing has been around for ages. Didn’t they have camel races in the desert years ago? Most people today are simply viewers. However, a number can’t resist becoming a participant, whether it is a swimmer, marathon runner, or boat, motorcycle or auto driver. Then there are the BMX racing bikes for kids. The Daytona Beach International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the third largest single lit outdoor sport facility, seats nearly 168,000 for its NASCAR races and is usually sold out. A countless number of additional fans would not miss the NASCAR races on television. This book raises the age-old question of why a man, or occasionally a woman, would risk his health, his financial wherewithal and much more, possibly even his life, to become a racer.

About the Author

Carolyn Furlong was born on a farm near Chillicothe, Iowa. She was the fifth daughter of Carl and Leora McElroy and has one younger brother. She attended a rural school until high school age, when she enrolled in Ottumwa, Iowa High School. Carolyn Furlong was married to William Loy and later to Paul B. Furlong, both now deceased. She is the mother of four sons, Michael Loy, William Loy, Kelly Furlong and Kerry Furlong, and an adopted daughter, Kim Furlong Corlew. Ms. Furlong began working in the insurance business in Ottumwa, Iowa in 1953, a career she pursued after moving to Miami, Florida in 1961. She has been involved in a number of insurance organizations and served as president of the National Association of Insurance Women in 1980. She holds several insurance professional designations, including CPCU, CLU, CEBS and CPIW. She is a member of the Miami Lakes Congregational Church that is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. “The Carpenter” is Ms. Furlong’s second book, the first being “The Daenzer Story”, a biography that chronicles the history of the insurance business in the 1900s.