NASCAR movie being filmed

WILSON CREEK - They're running liquor again in Caldwell County - but this time the moonshine haulers are stunt drivers working on a film for Warner Brothers Studios. The moonshine running scene was being filmed at Wilson Creek on Wednesday for a documentary on the history of Nascar. Warner Brothers, IMAX and NASCAR are teaming up on the project to offer movie-goers and NASCAR fans a unique motion picture experience.

A crew of about 35 men and women were working yesterday to shoot a scene for the 45-minute documentary, "Nascar the IMAX Experience 3D." The scene was filmed with a $3.5 million dollar IMAX 3D movie camera. There are only two in the world. The camera holds three minutes of film and takes about 17 minutes to reload. It takes four men to lift the camera.

The IMAX Experience is a unique film experience with technology that allows the viewer to feel like they are really there.

Doug Hylton and Lorne Orleans are producing the 3D film. Orleans said the Wilson Creek area was chosen because of the beautiful scenery and there are few signs of modern day life in many areas.

Simon Wincer of Australia is directing the movie. "This film is covering history in a visual way," Wincer said. "It is a bit of fun seeing how the cars have changed through the years."

Wincer has directed about 30 movies including "Lonesome Dove" and "Free Willy." He recently completed directing "Young Black Stallion," which was his first film with the IMAX camera .

Wincer admits he was not a race fan. He has read and studied the history and is no very knowledgeable to the history of Nascar.

The documentary does not focus on one Nascar driver or one team. They have already filmed scenes from Daytona, Martinsville, Talladega, Richmond, Michigan and California. They will be filming this week-end at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte and will be at Bristol in the fall.

The opening of the film will be the moonshine chase. Using old model Ford cars Steve Kelso, stunt double for Dale Earnhardt Jr. was driving the moonshine car. In the car with Kelso was Cary Eubanks, double for Tony Stewart. Kelso use to be involved with racing. He owns 15 type Nascar cars that is used in movies and commercials.

Driving the sheriff's car was Al Wyatt, double for Mike Helton, CEO of Nascar. Riding with Wyatt was Danny Pearce, double for Gary Nelson, who does a lot of security for Nascar.

Orleans says, "The Nascar community has been great to open up to them." They have also done filming at DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.) Joe Gibbs and Roush Racing. Roush Racing has been very supportive, according to Orleans. They are building a special car for us to use. The car will car the IMAX camera at the Talladega race.

"Nascar and IMAX have such devoted fans that Nascar fans may become IMAX fans and after this documentary IMAX fans may become Nascar fans," says Orleans.

"Nascar the IMAX Experience" will open to IMAX Theaters the first of next year. There are about 230 theaters in the world with about a half of those being in the states.

The film crew will be on site at Wilson Creek through Friday. The Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce will provide lunch for the crew members at the new Wilson Creek's Visitor Center today.