Paul W. Cockerham's fascination with cars and motorsports was first expressed at age 10 in a fourth-grade creative writing assignment, when he fantasized driving a Ferrari Testarossa in the Mille Miglia. A quarter-century later, the business journalist landed a corporate communications assignment at Philip Morris, covering Marlboro- and Miller-sponsored racing activities worldwide. A diverse freelance career followed, which included eight books (seven coffee-table volumes on various exotic car marques for Todtri Publications and Drag Racing for Chelsea House Publishers) and a stint seeking sponsorship for a Winston Cup backmarker. Cockerham died in 2005 after a long illness.