ABC has officially announced the premiere of Fast Cars & Superstars - Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race, a new reality series that will provide a mix of 12 athletes and entertainers the opportunity to try their hands at stock-car racing while under the tutelage of six of the sports' most talented and popular drivers.
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Confirming a mid-March report, ABC has announced that seven-episode series will premiere on Thursday, June 7 at 8PM ET as a lead-in to the NBA Finals. Each half-hour episode of Fast Cars & Superstars will follow the 12 celebrities as they train with the Gillette Young Guns and culminate in a one-hour finale where the celebrities will be coached from the pits by their instructors while competing against each other during a time-trial race.
The 12 celebrities participating in Fast Cars & Superstars are: former What About Brian and Baywatch actress Krista Allen; former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway; skateboarding legend Tony Hawk; seven-time rodeo champion Ty Murray; Nashville Star 5 host and Grammy nominated musician Jewel; tennis champion Serena Williams; reigning World Wrestling Entertainment champion John Cena; champion surfer Laird Hamilton; champion volleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece; former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher; Star Trek and Boston Legal actor William Shatner; and former NBA star John Salley.
"I jumped at the chance to be involved in the Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race," said Shatner. "It's every American boy's dream to get behind the wheel of a stock car." Added Jewel, "The thing that really excites me about competing in the race is that it brings together some of the best talent in their fields and gives them the opportunity to meet on a common ground. And I love the chance to compete against guys!"
The celebrities will be coached by the Gillette Young Guns -- Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray -- six of NASCAR's top young drivers who recently emerged as a dominant force in the sport of stock-car racing.
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"I hope these celebrities are ready to feel the real power of a stock car," said Johnson, the reigning NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion. "We're all really excited to share our knowledge of competitive racing to coach these stars. We'll see who has what it takes to be the champion."
Fast Cars & Superstars will be hosted by ESPN anchor and former Dancing with the Stars 2 participant Kenny Mayne and will be co-hosted by ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty. The series was co-created by BBDO and Gillette and is produced by Radical Media.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio