Blazing Speed, Heart-Pounding Intensity and Space-Age Technology: Welcome to the World of IndyCar Series Racing

Blazing Speed, Heart-Pounding Intensity and Space-Age Technology: Welcome to the World of IndyCar Series Racing

National Geographic Channel's 'IndyCar Racer' Explores the People, Passion and Precision of an IndyCar Series Race Team

WASHINGTON, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever wondered what it's like to drive at 220 miles per hour? For those with a need for adrenaline pumping speed we've got a triple dose of pure-action and all-out competition in three new National Geographic Channel (NGC) specials about the world of IndyCar Series racing.

On Thursday, April 7 from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT on NGC, "IndyCar Racer" shows an insider's view of what it takes to win in races around the country. Each one- hour special puts viewers on the racetrack and in the cockpit for an extraordinarily revealing look at the strategies, specialized technologies and intense personalities that merge in this high octane sport -- where one hundredth of a second can be the difference between victory and defeat.

"IndyCar Racer" virtually transforms the viewer into a member of a world- class race team, enabling viewers to see through the eyes of an IndyCar Series driver wielding his rocket-like car just inches from concrete walls and other cars at harrowing speeds. You will hear what he hears as his team captain, coach and spotters feed him critical details and tactics during three races. But there's more to a team than the driver's experience and "IndyCar Racer" delivers the complete package.

Viewers feel the strain of the pit crew rushing to overhaul not one but two $1 million cars in record time. Grease monkeys? Not these guys. The pit team is part of 40 engineers and technicians, who have one mission every day - - to find a way to squeeze more speed out of the car. Viewers will see how these engineers use aerodynamics and digital data to develop sophisticated pre-race plans and dynamic on-the-move adjustments.

Audiences also will see firsthand how team owner, captain and 1998 Indianapolis 500 Champion Eddie Cheever Jr. operates during a race and how he manages his team's psyche in the pits and in between races. In each episode, we follow the footsteps of drivers Alex Barron, a two-time IndyCar race winner, and rookie Ed Carpenter.

With cameras in nearly every part of the race experience, audiences feel the adrenaline, intensity, camaraderie, success, and even the disappointments of the Red Bull Cheever Racing team as they fight for a win.

"It's exhilarating and difficult. It takes a level of intensity that nothing else I have ever seen in motor sports does. I love it. It's my passion," Cheever explained.

"We have to win. We have no reason to exist if we're not winning races. You're not allowed to make any mistakes. Everything has to be perfect," Cheever calmly tells his team.

There's a fine line between aggression and recklessness. Crashes are part of racing, but crashes lose races. They also destroy million-dollar machines. No one is more aware of this delicate balance than Cheever. He's sensitive to his drivers' psyches and race strengths, while also feeling pressure from his sponsors, engine makers and even his own wallet.

Hundreds and thousands of hours of sweat, commitment and heart often comes down to minutes when critical decisions are made -- like how hard to tighten a bolt, fuel mixture, tire wear, car height, spring adjustment, or even when to pit stop. "IndyCar Racer" brings these details home in three consecutive race experiences: the Delphi 300 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois; the Toyota 400 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California; and the Chevy 500 at the Texas Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.

IndyCar Series cars are made of thin carbon-fiber bodies with methanol fuel-injected, rear-mounted engines that crank out 650 horsepower. With twice the power and half the weight of a Corvette, these open-wheeled machines weigh just 1,600 pounds and act more like a rocket on four wheels than a car. In fact, specially crafted wings are designed to keep the racers on the ground. But when a car gets turned the wrong way, it will literally take off.

Based at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel is a joint venture between National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) and Fox Cable Networks. National Geographic Channel debuted to an initial 10 million homes in January 2001, and has been one of the fastest growing networks in history. The Channel has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to more than 52 million homes. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.

Source: National Geographic Channel

CONTACT: Russell Howard of National Geographic Channel, +1-202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com; National Broadcast: Alanna Zahn of National Geographic Channel, +1-212-852-7093, AZahn@natgeochannel.com; National Broadcast: Cathy Saypol of CSPR, +1-212-288-8496, Saypolpr@aol.com, for National Geographic Channel; National Print: Chris Albert of National Geographic Channel, +1-202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com; National Print: Nord Wennerstrom of The Fratelli Group, +1-202-496-2124, NWennerstrom@fratelli.com, for National Geographic Channel; National & Local Radio: Clare Hertel of Clare Hertel Communications, +1-845-340-0731, CHertel@aol.com, for National Geographic Channel; Local Print: Licet Ariza of The Fratelli Group, +1-202-496-2122, LAriza@fratelli.com, for National Geographic Channel; or Photos: Chad Sandhas of National Geographic Channel, +1-202-912-6632, CSandhas@natgeochannel.com

Web site: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel

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