Showtime’s on ‘Track’ with stock cars; HBO has Garth Brooks live; USA’s greedy ‘Ticket’

Sunday

“Fast Track” / 8 p.m. Showtime

Given the title, viewers can be forgiven for thinking this new series is set at some large corporation. In fact, it’s an under-the-hood look at the world of stock-car racing and its revved-up drivers, owners and sponsors. With Larry (“MASH”) Gelbart pulling out the stops as executive producer, the two-hour debut gets a green light with Keith Carradine as Richard Beckett, a doctor on the speedway circuit. More puns? Naw, we’re outta gas.

Monday

“Keenen Ivory Wayans” / 11 p.m. KTTV

Two fresh combatants go head-to-head in the late-night fray that is television’s talk show wars. Wayans, best known as the guiding light of “In Living Color,” is host and executive producer of this new hourlong alternative to Jay and Dave that is being described as “talk/variety with an attitude.” Viewers can expect the genre’s standard mix of celebs, musical performances and topical humor. And while Wayans tries to carve a niche for himself with a hip, young, urban audience, he must contend with another new kid on the block ...

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“Vibe” / 11 p.m. KCOP

And that kid happens to be comic actor Chris Spencer, a native Angeleno who has appeared on MTV, “The Arsenio Hall Show” and whadaya know, “In Living Color.” Not surprisingly, the hourlong entry from Quincy Jones, a co-executive producer with clout, also promises “a lot of attitude” as well as celebrity interviews, comedy performances, music from mainstream and urban artists plus remote segments.

Tuesday

“Intensity” / 8 p.m. Fox. Concludes Wednesday

A thoroughly nasty piece of business, this two-part exercise in sadism is based on a novel by Dean Koontz. The sporadically suspenseful yet protracted thriller concerns a single-minded waitress (Molly Parker) on the trail of a knife-wielding killer (John McGinley) who takes a perverse sensory pleasure in murder. Though the plucky, winning Parker plays a heroine we can root for, particularly because she is trying to rescue a traumatized teen held hostage in a basement, the film is ugly and gratuitously violent.

Wednesday

“Countryfest ‘97” / 9 p.m. CBS

Big names from the world of country music gathered in Ft. Worth for the June 14 taping of this concert special. It’s a two-hour collection of performances and behind-the-scenes clips culled from the daylong Texas Motor Speedway festival.

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“The Ticket” / 9 p.m. USA

Lust, crime and vengeance have been a recurring theme on this summer’s slate of USA thrillers, which include “My Stepson, My Lover,” “Perfect Crime” and “Our Mother’s Murder.” Now you can add greed to that laundry list of sins as “90210” alum Shannen Doherty and James Marshall (“Twin Peaks”) play a stranded couple fending off a man and woman trying to steal their $23-million lottery ticket in the wilderness.

Thursday

“Garth Live From Central Park” / 8 p.m. HBO

If you have to ask Garth who, then this concert may not be your cup of tea. As the latest in a long line of luminaries to appear at the New York venue (Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand and Elton John are others), the renowned Mr. Brooks will give a free performance of his sold-out tour. And as the biggest-selling solo recording artist in the U.S. (yes, bigger than Michael and Elvis), we think there might be some interest in this extravaganza.

Saturday

“The Ira Gershwin Centenary Concert” / 7 and 11 p.m.

Ira, the older brother who wrote lyrics to the timeless music provided by George, is saluted in a two-hour show from London’s Royal Albert Hall pairing great songs (“I Got Rhythm,” “The Man I Love,” “Embraceable You”) and stellar talent (Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Petula Clark, Maureen McGovern).