Kvapil to race “Knight Rider” car
On the heels of NBC’s hit movie, the iconic 1980’s television classics comes roaring back to life as a reinvented, updated and super-charged action series showcasing the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand). As absolutely the coolest car ever created, KITT is equipped with “AI" (artificial intelligence) that is capable of hacking into almost any system. The vehicle’s weapon system matches that of a jet fighter, its body is capable of transforming into other vehicles, and the car uses sophisticated holographic imagery to elude villains.
“This is such an awesome sponsor for our team at Bristol," commented Kvapil. “The television series 'Knight Rider' is a show that everyone can get hooked on. I think it’s really cool that NBC has chosen to reinvent the series for the Fall line-up. The best part about the show was always the car, KITT, and this is amazing that I get to drive a version of KITT for the night race at Bristol. It’s every guy’s dream to feel like they are an action hero and I get to have that chance under the lights of Bristol with our No. 28 'Knight Rider' Ford."
“The stealth look and feel of the car coupled with Travis Kvapil at the helm has us very excited about this race," said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Universal Television Group President, The NBC Agency. “This event exemplifies the adrenalin and action the ‘Knight Rider’ series will deliver and illustrates the strength and compatibility of our sponsor partnership with Ford."
The premiere of the No. 28 “Knight Rider" Ford will take place on August 23rd, 2008 for the Sharpie 500 when Kvapil and his Yates Racing teammate, David Gilliland, travel to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 24th race of the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season. The Sharpie 500 will be broadcast on ESPN Saturday, August 23rd with television coverage beginning at 7:00 pm EST and radio coverage provided by the Performance Racing Network.
Kvapil has achieved three top-10 finishes and four top-15 finishes this season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series within the first 22 starts of the year. Kvapil has also completed 99.5 percent of the total laps possible this season and is currently 23rd in the driver point standings.
The No. 28 “Knight Rider" Ford has a paint scheme that promotes the super-charged Mustang from the show, KITT. The Mustang on “Knight Rider" boasts doors that open vertically, a top speed of 377 mph and, most importantly turbo-boost.
Gary Scott Thompson ("The Fast and The Furious," "Las Vegas"), David Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers on "Knight Rider," which stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars"), Paul Campbell (“Battlestar Galactica"), Yancey Arias (“Kingpin") and Bruce Davison ("Breach"). Smith Cho (“Blades of Glory") recurs. Based on characters created by Glen Larson, “Knight Rider" is from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.