ABC'S "NASCAR IN PRIMETIME" TRAVELS TO CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, AT 10 PM, ET

At Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, running in front of 180,000 fans, NASCAR drivers are hot, tired and three hundred miles deep into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race -- and they're only halfway through. The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest and most grueling race of the 10-month NASCAR season. The fourth installment of "NASCAR in Primetime" looks at how the drivers' mental and physical endurance is tested and how their race strategy and fuel conservation are crucial to survival. Even the most experienced teams can face problems trying to make it to the finish with as few pit stops as possible. "NASCAR in Primetime" airs WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Veteran drivers and rookies alike find themselves up against the wall as they try to complete the 600. Tony Stewart, known as one of NASCAR's bad-boy drivers both for his driving style and his irreverent personality, struggles going into Charlotte. The two-time Nextel Cup champion and beloved driver is used to winning, so falling short is frustrating. When he finds himself leading the pack for most of the 600, it looks like he's in the running to win. But can he hold on for a first-place finish?

The program also follows 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, who seems to have been born under a lucky star. Blessed with good looks, charm and an undeniable racing talent, Jimmie is adored by female fans and admired by male ones. He worked his way up the ranks of NASCAR but has never forgotten his blue collar roots. He takes every aspect of his racing career seriously, whether running races or signing autographs. At the Coca-Cola 600, Johnson paces the pack at NASCAR's first superspeedway for most of the race. And when the finish doesn't go quite as planned, he still finds a reason to celebrate.

Throughout the hour, ABC News chronicles the growing role women play in the world of NASCAR drivers. While some women come along for moral support, others help to run their husbands' charities and businesses. DeLana Harvick, team owner and wife of driver Kevin Harvick, is deeply involved in the sport. With her blonde bombshell looks, DeLana may seem out of place amongst the pit crews, but appearances can be deceiving. Her father was a stock car racer and DeLana virtually grew up at the track. DeLana and Kevin's relationship is quite unique in NASCAR. They respect each other as equals, but can't resist opportunities to tease each other and joke around. What is it about this NASCAR power couple that keeps them so connected?

Meanwhile Johnny Sauter's girlfriend, Cortney Owen, also works as a publicist for a NASCAR race team, but she's got her heart set on a different role. A self-professed traditionalist, Cortney wants to be the power and stability behind her man. Until Johnny can propel himself to the winner's circle, Cortney worries that their relationship will stagnate. How long will she have to wait for Johnny until he puts her on the same pedestal as his racing career?

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 to 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.