"NASCAR IN PRIMETIME," ABC NEWS DOCUMENTARY SERIES, AIRS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22

***Series Now Airs at 9:00 p.m., ET***

What makes NASCAR drivers tick? How do they keep up their momentum, race after grueling race? Hour two of "NASCAR in Primetime" takes viewers right to the heart of stock car racing � exploring what it takes to win and what drivers are thinking while they're out on the track. NASCAR is already a way of life for millions, and this documentary series chronicles what it is about NASCAR that makes it such a phenomenon. "NASCAR in Primetime" airs WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) and will continue to air Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. through September 12 on the ABC Television Network.

The second episode of "NASCAR in Primetime" provides an insider tour of the NASCAR psyche � and it's not always pretty. Drivers get down and dirty in the half-mile Bristol, TN "fishbowl," which some compare to the Roman coliseum or to flying fighter jets in a gymnasium. The 43 cars crammed onto a short, high-banked track makes for some of the wildest racing in NASCAR. Almost no car emerges unscathed. Then it's off to the Texas Motor Speedway outside Ft. Worth, TX, where everything is super-sized, including the drama. Adapting to the different track configurations is one of the greatest challenges drivers face. Add that to the already intense stress of competition, and you've got a pressure cooker that only the strongest can survive.

Each driver deals with the demands of racing in different ways. Juan Pablo Montoya thrives on the thrill of competition. The former Formula One superstar is breaking new ground and opening a new era in stock car racing. While Montoya may be shaking things up in the sport, he's got his work cut out for him at the track. He tells ABC News he'll do anything to win, and he keeps his word in Bristol when he trades paint with veteran driver Tony Raines in the back stretch. Montoya's eye is on the prize, but his aggressive driving isn't winning him any friends.

Meanwhile, the series continues following Johnny Sauter, who draws weekly inspiration from screening the movie "Rocky," the story of the underdog who takes advantage of an unexpected opportunity and comes out on top. Sauter believes he's in a position to do the same in NASCAR. But to win a race, a driver first has to qualify. Only 43 cars make it into the Nextel Cup race each week and there are no guarantees. Will his new team make the cut at Bristol? Will he be able to control his temper and keep from doing something reckless on the track? And what is it that's holding him back from the success he feels he's destined for?

And for the first time in 20 years, Mark Martin will watch a race from home while his fellow drivers battle each other in Bristol. His fans are disappointed, but when Martin makes a decision, he sticks to it. He talks to ABC News about his motivation to stop racing full-time � at a time when he's cherished by fans and has a real chance of winning the championship. Will he be able to step away from life at the track for good? After missing Bristol, Martin may find it's harder to stay out of the car than he thought.

ABC News will also offer the full show the day after air on ABC News Now, in HD where available.

About "NASCAR in Primetime"

For six months, ABC News delved deep into the lives of top drivers -- including Tony Stewart, Juan Pablo Montoya and Mark Martin -- to reveal what goes on behind the scenes in the high-speed world of stock car racing. This is the first time NASCAR has granted a news network unfettered access, giving ABC News cameras a unique view into the lives of some of the top drivers and the inner workings of the sport. Michael Bicks is the executive producer of "NASCAR in Primetime." Rudy Bednar is the senior executive producer.