Paul A. Rahe is professor of history at the University of Tulsa.John Close is a racing journalist photographer with more than 20 years of experience. He has covered NASCAR Craftsman Truck racing since the beginning. He is a frequent contributor to Stock Car Racing magazine, National Speed Sport News, and NASCAR.com. He also is one of the main contributors to truckseries.com, the main source of news in truck racing. Close lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.