CORONA, Calif.: Monster Energy, a long-time sponsor of NASCAR, has announced the acquisition of NASCAR documentary Blink of An Eye by global commercial distribution platform 1091 Media.
Based on the true story of NASCAR icons Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Sr., the documentary is produced and directed by multi Emmy-winning filmmaker Paul Taublieb, known for Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross. Also serving as producers are Monster Energy vice president of Sports Marketing Mitch Covington, who discovered the true story and brought it to Taublieb, next to Susan Cooper and Pam Miller, and NASCAR’s Steve Phelps serving as an executive producer.
Blink of An Eye was produced by Taublieb Films with support from Monster Energy and in association with NASCAR. The film premieres with a private screening on Friday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Theater in Charlotte, NC in front of an audience of NASCAR stars and motorsports industry insiders, just prior to a major NASCAR race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Audiences can look forward to seeing the true-life saga at select theatres in New York and Los Angeles this fall, which will make Blink of An Eye eligible for Academy Award consideration. The documentary will be available On Demand, roll out to +600 theatres nationwide and is expected to play at major film festivals.
Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Blink of An Eye focuses on Michael Waltrip and his star-crossed friendship with iconic driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. Over the course of 462 races, Waltrip failed to notch a single win. He was on the longest losing streak in NASCAR history – 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. As fate would have it, 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.
Monster Energy senior executive Covington, who already produced and won an Emmy for 2016’s Unchained with Taublieb, discovered the deeply moving story of Waltrip and Earnhardt Sr. at a national sales meeting.
“It’s a story for the ages, and myself and the company are thrilled to support and help bring it to life, and we’re all fortunate to have a talent like Taublieb helming the project,” said Covington.
Covington also wrote the theme song performed by Bobby Capps of 38 Special, which will be released as a single by Cali-Bama Records.
Brought to life in director Taublieb’s signature storytelling style, the film features interviews with Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with Ty Norris, the former executive vice president of Motorsports for Dale Earnhardt Inc., and NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Richard Childress, and includes a special audio cameo by country music star, Trace Adkins.
Aware of the story’s wide appeal and emotional weight, Producer-director Taublieb said: “I’m humbled Michael Waltrip placed his trust in me to tell his heartfelt and inspiring story in such intimate fashion, yet on the large canvass of cars going 200 miles an hour. Blink of an Eye is the most compelling sports story never told, and one that transcends sports.”
Taublieb and his production company, Taublieb Films, are two-time Emmy winners. They took the honors in 2014 for Best Sports Documentary Series for Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, and in 2017 in the Outstanding Long Documentary category for Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross, with Covington also winning an Emmy for his role as a producer. Known for his engaging visual storytelling and penchant for action sports, Taublieb also directed surfing documentary The Monster Energy Big Wave Tow-in Invitational, recently premiered on ABC.
The deal was negotiated by 1091’s Danny Grant and Taublieb on behalf of the filmmakers and Waltrip. Blink of an Eye was produced by TAUBLIEB Films with support from Monster Energy and in association with NASCAR, with NASCAR’s Steve Phelps also serving as an executive producer.
“Blink of an Eye touches a much wider audience than NASCAR fans, it is a story of perseverance and friendship that anyone can relate to,” said Danny Grant, senior vice president of Film and Strategic Partnerships. “Paul Taublieb does a fantastic, cinematic job with this long untold story and we are excited to partner with Taublieb Films and Monster Energy, along with the support of NASCAR, in bringing this film to theaters and homes nation-wide.”
Blink of an Eye has also been acquired to be developed into a dramatic feature film by Hollywood producer Roger Birnbaum, with whom Taublieb produced the hit film The Vow in 2014, which grossed $200 million at the box office.
