Travel Channel to Premiere NASCAR's SAND MASTERS Series, 7/8

Daytona International Speedway is known across the globe as the home of "The Great American Race," the DAYTONA 500. During this year's Speedweeks, it also hosted the Travel Channel's original series SAND MASTERS, which follows a group of sand masons as they travel the world creating unimaginable sand masterpieces on a massive scale. Not only do they build colossal works of sand that defy gravity, but they battle challenges of unpredictable weather, wildly ambitious designs, demanding clients and a ticking clock along the way.

In this all-new half-hour special, premiering on Travel Channel on Sunday, July 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, the sand masters are invited to Daytona by two-time DAYTONA 500 Champion Michael Waltrip. To honor his brother Darrell's induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Michael requests the sand masters to create a surprise race-inspired sand sculpture. After strapping in for a heart-pounding 170 MPH spin around the famed high banks Daytona International Speedway, the team is motivated and pumped to create their new sand structure.

Their inspiration, however, is quickly tested when the sand masters must work amid the constant, thunderous roar of the engines, face soggy sand and salvage a collapsed portion of their specially-designed masterpiece, which features Darrell's No. 17 car, the old Winston Cup trophy, a checkered flag, a banked track and a giant sand statue of Darrell doing the "Ickey Shuffle" after his 1989 DAYTONA 500 victory.

"The 'Sand Masters' NASCAR episode highlights the incredible skill of these sand experts," said Andy Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel. "Not only do they overcome obstacles to build a challenging sand monument, but they help celebrate Americana with the famous DAYTONA 500 race."

During the special "Sand Masters" episode, the network will conduct a "Watch and Win" Twitter contest, where fans will be prompted to tweet a special hashtag to @travelchannel for a chance to win NASCAR prizes including Michael Waltrip autographed items and even two tickets to the 2013 DAYTONA 500.

"Sand Masters" is produced by Painless Entertainment for Travel Channel. For Painless Entertainment, the executive producer is Jim Casey. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is David E. Gerber.

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 6-7. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, featuring a special hour-long pre-race concert by multiplatinum, Grammy-winning superstars Train, and the Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Also, don't forget to take advantage of our special kids' pricing. Kids 12 and under receive free general admission tickets to the Subway Jalapeno 250, free admission to the Sprint FANZONE all weekend long, and a $10 ticket for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola while supplies last.

TNT's coverage of the Coke Zero 400 live from Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, July 7 starts at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #COKEZERO400. In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ for all the latest news all season long.

TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

Daytona International Speedway 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd.  Daytona Beach, Fla. 32114

To post a comment, you must register and login.