Wide Open: A Life in Supercross

In this gossipy, spiteful memoir, champion Supercross motorcycle racer McGrath wastes no opportunity to settle scores and gloat over vanquished enemies. Targets include his former Yamaha sponsors (""how quickly people can turn their back on you""), Supercross rivals Damon Bradshaw (""failed to win a single pro championship"") and Jeff Emig (""always felt he was above everyone else"") and""spoiled diva"" actress Alyssa Milano (""she was a little bit out of shape and her butt was kind of big."") The nursing of resentments gives some energy and focus to an otherwise slack, anecdotal recounting of McGrath's aimless off-track existence as it meanders from his party-hearty bachelorhood, to his tense but dull courtship of his wife, to the furnishing of his home (""I rubbed my knees on each individual carpet sample page to simulate lying on the floor watching TV."") McGrath's account of his on-track career is preoccupied with the minutiae of sponsorship and endorsement deals and a catalogue of his record-setting accomplishments, but it occasionally includes revealing material on racing strategy and the exploitation of riders by promoters. Advice sidebars on topics like motorcycle maintenance (""modestly apply oil to filter, then gently massage in"") and career-building (""you need parents to supplement your paper-route money and take you to the races"") may be of interest to young Supercross wannabes, who will be further inspired by the countless photos of McGrath and motorcycle soaring through the air.