WHAT IN THE HELL IS NASCAR THINKING?????
Spears to play team owner's daughter
ESPN.com news services
Spears
Britney Spears and NASCAR will be coming to a theater near you.
The racing league and Spears' production company announced on Monday plans for a NASCAR-themed movie in which Spears will star. The untitled project is currently in the preliminary writing and development stage and will be written by Jim Hart ("Contact," "Hook"
. Spears is slated to co-star as the daughter of a NASCAR team owner who uses her knowledge and experience in the family business to inspire a former NASCAR driver to regain his desire to return to NASCAR racing.
"One of NASCAR's objectives is to grow our sport by developing entertainment projects that introduce NASCAR drivers, teams, tracks and their sponsors to an ever-growing audience," said NASCAR vice president of broadcasting Paul Brooks. "We have received numerous movie concepts set in the world of NASCAR, but chose this project because it is a great story that embraces our true, genuine sport as its backdrop. Britney Spears' involvement will help us reach an untapped fan base while serving our core fans with the authentic NASCAR experience."
The Sports Business Journal reported that NASCAR will help to market the film, which will contain race footage and drivers appearing as themselves. NASCAR will receive licensing fees for use of race footage and tracks will be paid for access, according to the Sports Business Journal's report, and have a "profit participation in the end gross." The movie is expected to cost $50 million.
"Britney herself has a lot of the values that represent NASCAR and her dad is a big NASCAR fan," said Brooks. "She is close with her family, she's from Louisiana and represents true Americana."
The London Sun had reported earlier that Spears was a fan of "Days of Thunder," and the new NASCAR movie would begin filming in October.
"We are excited to be working with the NASCAR family," said Ann Carli of Spears' production company. "Our goal is to create a film that honestly portrays the spirit of NASCAR. It is not just about winning -- it's about family, perseverance and the belief that any dream is possible."
Spears' first feature film, "Crossroads," was released this spring. This movie would not be Spears' first foray into the NASCAR world. The singer served as grand marshal of the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.