Bristol Dragway will serve as the backdrop for "King of the Strip," a new ESPN drag racing reality show.

Local racing fans will be able to participate in the series when an episode of the show is filmed during the Street Fights event in Thunder Valley on May 24.

The show, a mix between "Survivor" and "Let's Make A Deal," will see 13 racers compete for prizes, money, and the title "King of the Strip."

Playing an important role in the show are National Hot Rod Association drivers, and husband and wife team, Tommy Johnson, Jr. and Melanie Troxel. In addition to hosting the show, Johnson and Troxel will act as negotiators on behalf of the racers. If the negotiations get out of hand, the couple will become referees and attempt to keep everyone under control in the high-stakes, high-pressure competition.

Drivers will compete in a best-three-out-of-five match race with the winner taking home the competition's car and the opportunity to advance to the next round and a face-off with a new challenger.

Instead of using a flagman, "King of the Strip" will utilize Bristol Dragway's timing system. The timing system will eliminate the possibility of human error in determining the winner in the event of a close finish. The losers' cars will remain in Thunder Valley, locked in a special impound lot until the last episode.

In the final episode of the 13-week series, the last driver standing will be given the choice of keeping all of the cars in the impound lot or taking a race car trailer stuffed with cash and prizes.

The Bristol-based Masters Entertainment Group will produce the show. It will be filmed during the week of May 21, and become part of the ESPN Garage in July 2007.

For more information about Bristol Dragway's Street Fights or "King of the Strip," please call 423.764.DRAG, or visit www.bristoldragway.com.