WATERLOO – John Close, a former sports editor of the Daily Jefferson County Union in Fort Atkinson, this week published a book on Edgerton native and former NASCAR driver Rich Bickle.

“Barnyard to Brickyard – The Rich Bickle Story” was released Monday and tells the story of Bickle’s rise from Wisconsin short track racing to NASCAR. Bickle began racing in 1977 at Jefferson Speedway, and 12 years later, he made his NASCAR debut at the All Pro Auto Parts 500 on Oct. 8, 1989, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Bickle’s career included three wins and 26 top-five finishes across NASCAR’s three major national series. All three wins came in 1997 on what was then known as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, including back-to-back wins in May.

Bickle, who retired in 2005, joined Close for a book launch event Wednesday at Titletown Brewery in Green Bay. The two will hold several more book signings this summer, including one on Thursday, July 18, at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna.

Two more book signings will be held at Jefferson Speedway on July 27 and Aug. 10. The cost of an autographed book at the signings is $20.