Roush Racing: Driver X
| Roush Racing: Driver X | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Auto racing |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production company(s) | Brainbox Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | Discovery Channel |
Roush Racing: Driver X is a television show on the Discovery Channel that documented the selection of NASCAR drivers for Roush Racing. During occasional years, Jack Roush, the owner of Roush Racing, auditions drivers from around the world to hire a driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This audition is informally known as The Gong Show. In 2005, the Discovery Channel decided to film and air these tests as Roush Racing: Driver X. The show aired every Monday at 7:00 p.m. EST and at 11:00 p.m. EST on the Discovery Channel.
Roush Racing: Driver X was produced for Discovery Channel by Brainbox Entertainment.
For many years, Roush Racing recruited its developmental drivers through an elimination style of testing entitled The Gong Show. The first competition was held in 1985 for Roush's road racing program. The first combine for the stock car program was held in 1999. The process would begin when Roush solicited applications from thousands of drivers from all levels or racing. They would then put through a series of tests, gauging not only driving skills, but also public relations talent and personality traits. Eventually, the field would be narrowed down to an elite group who are allowed to race Roush vehicles, often Truck Series vehicles, in an attempt to assess driving ability. Those with the fastest times progress, and ultimately the best drivers are awarded with a contract to drive for Roush in the Truck Series or Busch Series (now Xfinity Series). Winners of the program include Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and David Ragan.
The term "Gong Show" comes from the 1970s talent show spoof "The Gong Show."
In 2005, the process was documented in the Discovery Channel television series Roush Racing: Driver X, which followed the stories of those involved in the 2005 Gong Show.
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