Based on the inspiring life story of NASCAR icons Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Sr., the high-octane documentary “Blink of an Eye” is set to race into select cinemas nationwide this September. The film features interviews with Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with former Executive Vice President of Motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Ty Norris, as well as NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Richard Childress. The cinema event also includes a special audio cameo by country music star, Trace Adkins. Additionally, fans will view a historical vignette on how the sport was born from renegade backwoods”moonshining,” a never seen interview of Dale Earnhardt Sr. by NASCAR legend Benny Parsons, a profile of Lee and Richard Petty with rare footage, plus a special “Blink of an Eye” video from singer Bobby Capps, by iconic rock band 38 Special backed by musicians from multi-platinum band 3 Doors Down.
1091and Fathom Events will distribute “Blink of an Eye” to approximately 800 select movie theaters on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
“Blink of an Eye” was produced and directed by multi-Emmy-winning filmmaker Paul Taublieb from TAUBLIEB Films in association with NASCAR. Based on the New York Times bestselling book, “In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything” by Michael Waltrip and Ellis Henican, “Blink of an Eye” focuses on Waltrip and his star-crossed friendship with iconic driver Earnhardt Sr.
Over 462 races, Waltrip failed to notch a single win, the longest losing streak in NASCAR, and maybe in all professional sports, when he joined Earnhardt’s race team for the 2001 Daytona 500. On the last lap of the “Great American Race,” Waltrip held the lead with Earnhardt Jr. in second and “Sr.” in third. Instead of making his trademark, ruthless charge to the front, Earnhardt Sr. blocked the field of 40 cars to allow his friend to take his first checkered flag. Waltrip never had the opportunity to celebrate with Earnhardt Sr., as the legend was killed on that last lap in what was initially thought to be a minor crash. Later, Waltrip would pay homage to “Sr.” on his return to Daytona in dramatic, unexpected fashion.
“We are proud to once again be working with 1091, and for the first time with Monster Energy and Taublieb Films, to bring this stirring documentary to cinemas across the U.S.,” said Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt. “For sports fans there is no substitute for seeing this story on the big screen, including interviews from luminaries of motorsports.”
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