Tom Cruise to narrate 'TOGETHER: The Hendrick Motorsports Story'

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2009) – “TOGETHER: The Hendrick Motorsports Story,” NASCAR Media Group’s documentary-style film chronicling the history of the eight-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship team, will air Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET on ABC prior to the network’s Pepsi 500 race coverage from Fontana, Calif. Narrated by three-time Academy Award nominee Tom Cruise and presented by Pepsi, “TOGETHER” employs exclusive interviews, never-before-seen archival footage, thrilling racing sequences and rare family photography to detail the personal relationships and emotional events that have shaped one of NASCAR’s most decorated organizations. The official “TOGETHER” trailer is available at www.refresheverything.com/hendrick. The Web site will feature regular updates of content from the film and provide fans the opportunity to upload video messages about their favorite Hendrick Motorsports moments. Select fan-generated clips will be shown during the Oct. 11 broadcast on ABC. “NASCAR Media Group is honored to tell the story of one of the most successful teams in our sport’s history,” said Jay Abraham, chief operating officer of NASCAR Media Group. “The cooperation, access and openness of Hendrick Motorsports and the entire Hendrick family have enabled us to tell a compelling, emotional and comprehensive story that will give fans fresh insight into one of NASCAR’s legendary operations. It has a powerful message that will resonate with people.” The full-length version of “TOGETHER” with bonus material will be released Oct. 31 on DVD, and it will become NASCAR Media Group’s first officially licensed title available on Blu-ray Disc. A portion of Hendrick Motorsports’ proceeds from those sales will benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital. in Charlotte, N.C. Visit Hendrick Motorsports' online team store to preorder the DVD. “When we started the team back in 1984, our pie in the sky was to eventually, someday win a race,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Any success beyond that has been because of the folks who have worked so hard and supported us over our 25 years. We’ve been extremely fortunate, and I hope the film is something they will be proud of.” Cruise, an auto racing enthusiast who starred in the 1990 NASCAR-themed motion picture “Days of Thunder,” completed the narration work for “TOGETHER: The Hendrick Motorsports Story” in Los Angeles last month. The script was co-written by Emmy Award winners Shawn Truax and Ray Didinger. Film director Rory Karpf has spearheaded such projects as the Dale Earnhardt biopic “DALE,” now the best-selling sports DVD in history, and the critically acclaimed “Ride of Their Lives.” The NASCAR Media Group production team responsible for “TOGETHER: The Hendrick Motorsports Story” earned back-to-back Sports Emmy Awards in 2006 and 2007 for “Beyond the Wheel” and “Quest for the Cup.” For more information about Hendrick Motorsports, please visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com, www.facebook.com/HendrickMotorsports and www.twitter.com/HendrickInfo.