NASCAR fans not only get to see on-track racing among the sport's elite this weekend, but they also get to begin an in-depth look into the men who laid the groundwork for stock car racing.
This Sunday, the focus will be on NASCAR's past as CMT kicks off its highly anticipated docudrama "NASCAR: The Rise of American Speed," a three-part, six-hour series.
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According to CMT.com, the series is "dedicated to the fearless men who took stock car racing out of the backwoods and into the national spotlight."
NASCAR history, through docudrama and archival images (via CMT)
Preview clips highlight the unique format — a mix of archival footage, reenactments and interviews with NASCAR Sprint Cup racing's superstars, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Richard Petty, Tony Stewart and Darrell Waltrip.
Earnhardt says he was surprised by some of what he saw.
"I'm not sure if (chairman and CEO) Brian or (International Speedway Corporation CEO) Lesa (France, both interviewed for the film) have watched it, but I think the filmmakers were free to tell the story they wanted and had free range to talk to a lot of interesting people, and I think they did a good job," he told Autoweek earlier this week.
Earnhardt understands and appreciates the history of the sport. He has long been a student of its past and his social media accounts often include nods to those who came before him and paved the way for NASCAR to reach the heights it has today. He speaks respectfully of those who laid the path for him.
In talking with NASCAR.com about the series, he admits he was excited to preview Sunday's episode.
He said the series goes deeper than just the facts. While many know the achievements and records of those who sparked the sport's success, this offers a deeper look at them — something Earnhardt and all interested in the history of NASCAR will find offers insight.
"Watching that first episode, it's completely different from watching the other two," he told NASCAR.com. "The other two I was there, or I remember it as a kid. You immediately go to sort of picking it apart and [asking] does it live up to the standard?"
Fans will have a chance to answer that themselves starting on Sunday. After taking in the Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday night, they can take in even more racing on Sunday night with the initial installment of the series.
The final two episodes air on CMT on May 15 and May 22.