The Lost Manuscript

Bob Wilber made a name for himself in the world of NHRA Drag Racing, as a PR rep and manager for Del Worsham's Nitro Funny Car team, after joining the organization in 1997. In 2001, he decided to privately write a diary of all the inner workings of a professional drag racing organization throughout the calendar year. A former professional baseball player himself, Wilber saw the value in exposing the "behind the scenes" business side of motorsports as well as the heart-racing action on the track. He finished the diary at the conclusion of the 2001 season, printed one copy for himself, and put it away. Soon thereafter, the manuscript was lost, until a fateful day 22 years later, in 2023, when his wife stumbled upon it. The Lost Manuscript was found. And now it is here. It has been published just as it was written in 2001, with all the urgency and "real time" drama as experienced by the team. Wilber had no idea how the season would go when he began writing but documented nearly every day of what turned out to be a life-changing year for all involved.