AMERICA DRAGSTER RETURNS

ad_logo.gifThe popular NHRA professional drag-racing behind-the-scenes show, "American Dragster," will begin airing10 episodes of its second season on ESPN2 starting with Episode 1 on Feb.11, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Episode 2 will air on Feb. 25, at 11:30 a.m.
Subsequent Episodes 3 through 7 will air on March 3, March 18, April 1, April 29 and June 2. Air dates for the final three are to be determined. The entire schedule is listed below.

The show, which featured Brut Revolution Dodge Funny Car driver Ron Capps and U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot Tony Schumacher in its first season, adds Jagermeister Pro Stock Driver Max Naylor and Pro Stock Driver Erica Endersto its lineup for the second season.


ad_logo.gifThe popular NHRA professional drag-racing behind-the-scenes show, "American Dragster," will begin airing10 episodes of its second season on ESPN2 starting with Episode 1 on Feb.11, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Episode 2 will air on Feb. 25, at 11:30 a.m.
Subsequent Episodes 3 through 7 will air on March 3, March 18, April 1, April 29 and June 2. Air dates for the final three are to be determined. The entire schedule is listed below.

The show, which featured Brut Revolution Dodge Funny Car driver Ron Capps and U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot Tony Schumacher in its first season, adds Jagermeister Pro Stock Driver Max Naylor and Pro Stock Driver Erica Endersto its lineup for the second season.

The first episode covers the prestigious 2006 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The second episode features the October event at The Strip atLas Vegas Motor Speedway, and the third chronicles the exciting season-ending NHRA finals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The fourth through tenth episodes will be shot at the first seven events of the 2007NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

"We are also adding some new segments to the show as the season progresses," said Ryan Johnson, director/executive producer. "For example, UTI (Universal Technical Institute) is sponsoring a technical discussion of some of the components that make up the race car and will compare them to their everyday vehicle counterparts.

"In Episode 1 of the second-season premiere, you will catch up with Ron Cappsand Tony Schumacher as they fight their way through the U.S. Nationals in a whole new race for the championship. Also, you will meet Erica Enders and Max Naylor as they try to balance the challenges of being  race-car drivers on and off the track. And as Brut unveils its new Brut Revolution Funny Car, viewers will discover the importance of sponsorship in this expensive sport.

Episode 2 follows Capps, Naylor and Enders as they deal with technical issues at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. From the clutch to the tires to the seat belts, no one is safe from mechanical problems that ariseon the track. Crews and drivers race to discover what glitch is keeping them from qualifying.

"We've received an enormous amount of support from drag-racing fans and it makes the hard work of creating a TV series really worth it," added Johnson.

"We strive to remain true to the sport of NHRA drag racing. There's no script. The drivers, their crew, friends and families tell the stories.We're just giving them a new voice."

Tony Schumacher, the four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion, is a fan of the show. "Having been involved with American Dragster in its infancy, I can tell you that the show truly offers a rare inside look at the sport," he said."Viewers can really get a feel for the personalities involved with the teams that are being featured. They can relate to the emotions the drivers and crew guys experience throughout the season, be they highs or lows."

Added Ron Capps, "The first season kind of went under the radar, but with John Force's show on A&E and the DVD of the first season of American Dragster available now, people are realizing that American Dragster is an awesome show. The feedback is that people love it because there's so much non-stop footage taken on the track and in the pits, so it's very authenticand realistic. People often wonder what goes on behind the ropes in the pit area, and there's nothing else that's been documented like American Dragster where you see exactly what goes on in our pit areas and even in the crewchief's lounges. We let the cameras roam around, so you get to see some incredible footage."

"Nothing captures the behind-the-scenes activities of the Jagermeister Racing Team like American Dragster and the additional exposure to our sponsors is unrivaled," said Naylor.

Enders is also enjoying the experience. "It has been really exciting working with American Dragster," she said. "It has been interesting to have someone follow me around and document on camera all of the things that happen duringa race. I think it gives the viewer a unique opportunity to have an inside look at what it is like being on tour that they would otherwise never know.The viewer can experience the stresses that are involved, how busy we actually are and the million directions we are constantly being pulled in.

They can see what it is like to find sponsors, interact with fans and set up hospitality for existing sponsors. I am very happy to be a part of American Dragster and look forward to working with the AD guys this season and beyond."

Viewers who missed the first season of "American Dragster" can get caught up on the show by purchasing the First Season DVD from www.americandragster.tv

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