NASCAR fans will get inside access to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team Michael Waltrip Racing in the all new television series Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era, part of ESPN2 Garage, debuting this Sunday, Dec. 10, at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era is an 11-episode, documentary television series that chronicles Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota's new partnership in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

In the premiere episode, Waltrip breaks ground at his new fabrication shop and announces to his staff that ESPN2 will document all of the exciting developments for the new race team. He also visits Toyota Racing Development to see the new Toyota Camry stock car and Toyota executives explain why the company is partnering with the team and entering NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing.

"This show was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to build a race team and give the fans an inside look into everything that goes into it," said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner. "From hiring the crew, to applying information about rules and competition, and seeing how it all comes together - that's what this story is about."

An accomplished NASCAR driver with four career NASCAR Nextel Cup wins, including two Daytona 500 wins, one NASCAR All-Star Challenge victory and 11 NASCAR Busch Series wins, Waltrip takes on the daunting task of creating a new NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team with new manufacturer, Toyota, with just months before their NEXTEL Cup Camry debuts in the Daytona 500. In June 2006, Michael Waltrip Racing opened its new race shop in Mooresville, N.C., and the rookie race team has been hard at work building and perfecting the first 200-mph Toyota Camry.

"The creation of Michael Waltrip Racing is a tremendous undertaking and we've got a lot of people invested in seeing us grow and succeed," added Waltrip. "The 2007 season is when we open the curtains on the world and everyone will get the chance to see what we've been doing this last year. Not only are we working hard, but we're working smart. Starting Dec. 10, fans can follow the story just like I've been living it the last year."

Waltrip is challenged to find sponsors, hire his entire crew and two drivers, and build a fleet of race cars - giving viewers the true-life drama of creating a new championship race team.

"This is a series that will give NASCAR fans real insight into the complex process of assembling a racing team," said ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions Julie Sobieski. "It will be educational and informative but with a personality like Michael Waltrip involved, it will also be very entertaining."

Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era on ESPN2

Airdate - Time
12/10/06 - 10 p.m. ET
12/10/06 - 11 p.m. ET
12/17/06 - 11 p.m. ET
12/24/06 - 11 p.m. ET
01/07/07 - 10 p.m. ET
01/07/07 - 11 p.m. ET
01/21/07 - 11 p.m. ET
01/28/07 - 11 p.m. ET
02/11/07 - 11 p.m. ET
02/18/07 - 11 p.m. ET
July - tbd - final episode

ESPN2 will become the motorsports destination for fans with more than 500 hours of motorsports programming in 2007.

For related photos, news and information visit, www.espnmotorsportsmedia.com.

ESPN and ABC will have comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races including the 10-race "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup" championship on ABC. Additionally, ESPN2 will be the home of the NASCAR Busch Series all season.

ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981. The network's award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN was honored with 17 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide. NASCAR races have appeared on ABC for decades, beginning with broadcasts on the award-winning Wide World of Sports program in the 1960s.