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January 23, 2003
5:10 PM EST (2210 GMT)
LOS ANGELES -- NASCAR and Travel Channel have partnered to produce two one-hour documentaries airing back-to-back on Feb. 9, exclusively on the Travel Channel.
"NASCAR's Thunder Road", which airs at 9 p.m. ET, and "Ultimate NASCAR", which airs at 10 p.m. ET, provide viewers with both the familiar and the lesser-known elements of the sport and a NASCAR race.
The programs will re-air on Feb. 15, the day before the season-opening Daytona 500.
"Travel Channel does a fantastic job taking viewers to places they have never been, and opening the NASCAR world to a new audience will benefit our drivers, teams, tracks, sponsors and the continued growth of the sport," said Paul Brooks, NASCAR vice president of broadcasting. "It is always fascinating to look at NASCAR through a new lens. Wilda Rokos and Travel Channel have captured elements of our sport and culture that will captivate their audience."
Wilda Rokos, producer and director of the documentaries and owner of Tomwil Entertainment Inc., believes Travel Channel and NASCAR are a winning combination:
"What we have produced captures for Travel Channel viewers and NASCAR fans alike the excitement and intrigue of Charlotte and Bristol in a way that rivals an adventure in the Amazon or the Sahara," Rokos said. "It was an absolute pleasure and a personal goal fulfilled to work with NASCAR and create this programming."
"Travel Channel's 'NASCAR's Thunder Road' and 'Ultimate NASCAR' explore the hottest spectator sport in the country today and showcase a growing travel destination: the racetrack," said Steve Cheskin, general manager of the Travel Channel. "Our partnership with NASCAR broadens our programming and presents a wonderful opportunity for our viewers to get up close and personal with NASCAR -- and by airing the programs in conjunction with the running of the Daytona 500, the timing couldn't be better."
"NASCAR's Thunder Road" takes a behind-the-scenes look at race weekends, documenting pre-race preparation for the drivers, teams and fans. Beginning with an overview of the sport and its history, the program examines the people and the innovative technology that go into the preparation for each event.
The NASCAR race season is a challenging 38-week journey, and "NASCAR's Thunder Road" will highlight the travel to and from NASCAR events showcasing how the team haulers serve as the "life system" of the racing crew on the road.
Widely regarded as one of the most fan-friendly sports, "NASCAR's Thunder Road" gives viewers a fan's view of the race from both the grandstand seats and VIP suites, including adrenaline-laden race action, the marvels of souvenir row, and the thrill of the Victory Lane celebration.
"Ultimate NASCAR" is presented in the same format as the Travel Channel's popular "World's Best" programming and features a NASCAR Top 10 list. The program looks at the science of engineering and the art of racing, and how NASCAR's race teams and drivers deftly combine the two elements.
The program documents everything in NASCAR including the cars; the manufacturers; the team owners; the quest for speed and safety; the differences in track formats; the multi-million dollar team garages; the frenetic activity in the pit areas; and the incredible connection between the fans and their favorite drivers.
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