GRAND NATIONAL RACER

Shelby Murchison, a novice ""yellow bumper,"" gets involved in the rivalry (""so bitter it eventually had to be fatal"") between his father and another old pro in this latest speedway saga from the Ogans. In a plot as stock as the cars, the track is littered with accidents, romance, and deep moral questions: will Shelby leave the death and disfigurement of racing to get him some culture on campus? There should be enough jargon--on the bubble, DNF, drafting--and technical information--366 CID's weight vs. 327 CID's smaller piston displacement--for fans of America's number one spectator sport, yet better to buy a ticket.