NASCAR racing comes to ABC reality TV

NASCAR racing has a special place in the hearts of many Mainers, with most fans having their own racing traditions, lucky numbers, favorite drivers and cars that often are passed down from generation to generation. And now, there’s a reality show just for the racing-inclined on ABC.

No, I’m not a NASCAR fan, though The Man on the Couch’s brother sports an “8” on his license plate and several relatives wouldn’t miss the chance to watch the pros make a lap around the track. To be honest, watching cars go around in circles makes me dizzy and the only part that sparks my interest is the replay of a good pileup (as long as no one gets hurt).

The celebrities involved in ABC’s latest reality endeavor, however, might provide enough comic relief for me to check out more than just the preview I got this week in the mail.

“Fast Cars & Superstars – Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race” pairs 12 celebrities with six professionals who will coach and train them on how to operate on the fast track.

While some of these celebs, such as skateboarding great Tony Hawk, are used to living on the edge, others appear to be more meek and mild, such as singer-songwriter Jewel. I’m not sure how much NASCAR racing they do in Alaska, and I doubt that “Nashville Star” prepared her to put the pedal to the metal.

Other familiar faces you’ll see throughout the season include actor William Shatner, former basketball and football champions, World Wrestling Entertainment icon John Cena, tennis star Serena Williams, and model and volleyball star Gabrielle Reece, according to ABC.

In the finale, the celebrities will compete against each other while being coached from the pit by the Gillette Young Guns – Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, and Jamie McMurray.

“Fast Cars & Superstars” premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 7, on ABC.

Need more than just a racetrack and a few stars to get you to tune in? Don’t worry there’s plenty of summer reality TV on the way.

On Monday, “Hell’s Kitchen” turns up the heat at 9 p.m. on Fox with hot-tempered chef Gordon Ramsay. Tuesday proves to be a good night for relaxing on the couch with “America’s Got Talent 2” at 9 p.m. on NBC, followed by Bravo’s premiere at 10 p.m. of “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.”

“America’s Got Talent” also has some new talent of its own replacing host Regis Philbin with Jerry Springer. Hopefully Springer isn’t a sign of the talent to come and we won’t see obese men showing off how many beer cans they can smash against their foreheads. After last season’s Rappin’ Granny, I’m not holding my breath to be overly impressed.