Top Fuel driver Melanie Troxel and her husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr., will be the hosts for a new ESPN drag racing reality based half-hour television program titled King of the Strip.

Bristol-based Masters Entertainment Group will showcase drag racing at its grassroots, hardcore best. Part game show, part reality show, 13 amateur racers will compete against each other for the title “King of the Strip” to be awarded at the end of the 13-week series.

There's a lot more at stake than just pride; each racer must be willing to give up his or her car to the winner if they lose, while the winner has the opportunity of advancing to the next episode and the next competitor.

Troxel and Johnson will negotiate and referee the trials and tribulations of each of the competitors, likewise chosen for their personas via auditions. O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis will be the backdrop for the show, which will be produced this week.

Each episode will feature last week's champ facing a new challenger drawn at random. The drag racers will utilize the track's timing system for the best three out of five races, winner takes all. Each of the losers' cars will be kept in a special impound lot at the racetrack, where they'll be locked up until the final episode.

In the last episode the last racer standing will be given the ultimate choice of keeping all the cars he's won, or taking what's inside a racecar trailer filled with cash and prizes.

King of the Strip will feature 13 competitors, from eight states, driving Fords, Chevelles, Camaros, Hondas, Mercurys, Pontiacs and even a '74 Datsun. The list of “king” hopefuls includes a husband-and-wife team, a 17-year-old with one year of racing experience, a 49-year-old with 32 years of racing experience, and a former winner of the Pinks television program.

The competition line-up represents racers from all different walks of life and from different parts of the United States. Peter Abram of Baldwin, N.Y., will bring his Ford Mustang to challenge the rest of the field. Kevin and Kathy Fisher from Lima, Ohio, will campaign a 1970 Chevelle and a 1999 Camaro. Jason Goforth's 1989 Honda CRX will make the trip from Hot Springs, N.C. Allen Hurley will pin his hopes on his 1991 Ford Mustang from Blountville, Tenn.

Michael Dezotek will have the longest haul in his 1988 Ford Mustang; he makes his home in Seekonk, Mass. Chris Escobar of Pensacola, Fla., will turn heads with his 1986 SVO Mustang which packs a twin turbo 281 Cobra. Daryel Jernigan Sr. of Stone Mountain, Ga., has the newest vehicle in this high-horsepower parade with a 2003 Mercury Marauder. David Sensabaugh of Mount Carmel, Tenn., pins his hopes on a 284 cubic inch 1998 Ford Mustang. Tom Deskins of Abingdon, Va., will pack a potent punch with a Lingenfelter LS1 twin turbo-powered 1999 Pontiac Firehawk. Brandon Settlemyre of Morganton, N.C. will represent the sport compact crowd with a 1.8 L turbo 1994 Honda Civic. Terry Royce of Fulton, N.Y., brings a 1985 Ford Mustang to the competition.

Royce is only 17 years old and just completed his first season of drag racing. Shean Barney, Hannibal, N.Y., has more than 20 years in drag racing and this might help his efforts, along with his 1981 Mercury Capri. Erwin, Tenn.'s Jon Phillips hopes his 415 cubic in 1974 Datsun 260Z will become drag racing royalty.

Additionally, one of ORP's regular ET bracket racers will earn a berth in the competition based on the results of a special race prior to June 12 that will determine that winner.

The 13-week series is scheduled to air every Sunday at 11 a.m. prior to NHRA Raceday in the third quarter 2007 on ESPN2. This series is supported by O'Reilly Auto Parts, Summit Racing Equipment, Hypertech, Comp Cams, TCI, Eibach Springs, LOKAR, MSD Ignitions, Bruce Litton Trailer Sales/United Trailer Sales, Lincoln Tech, ARP, Torco, Steve Schmidt Racing, and Indy Cylinder Heads.