AND THEY'RE OFF! MICKEY MOUSE AND THE GANG REV UP FOR 'MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS,' AN ACTION-PACKED RACING SERIES, PREMIERING IN A SIMULCAST SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, ON DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY JUNIOR

Recurring Guest Stars Include Racing Icons Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon plus Jay Leno, Tim Gunn, Hoda Kotb and Gordon Ramsay

Disney Junior's animated "Mickey and the Roadster Racers," a madcap car-racing adventure series for preschoolers led by Disney's No. 1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald, will make its television debut in a simulcast SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 (9:00 and 9:25 a.m. EST), on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Two more episodes will premiere MONDAY, JANUARY 16 (9:00 and 9:25 a.m. EST), on Disney Channel. Episodes will also be available on the Disney Junior app and Disney Junior VOD beginning Sunday, January 15, and on iTunes beginning Monday, January 16.

The series, which will premiere internationally throughout 2017, takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon recur as race car drivers Jiminy Johnson, Danni Sue and Gordon Gear, respectively. Additional guest stars include television personality Jay Leno as announcer Billy Beagle; Tim Gunn ("Project Runway") as Robbie Roberts; Gordon Ramsay ("MasterChef") as Chef Oxley; Hoda Kotb ("The Today Show") as Mrs. Sweetums; Peter Serafinowicz ("Guardians of the Galaxy") as Dr. Crutchley; Jane Leeves ("Frasier") as the Queen of England; Fred Willard ("Best in Show") as Mr. Doozy; Hector Elizondo ("Last Man Standing") as Grandpa Beagle; Tony Shalhoub ("Monk") as Luigi; Kate Micucci ("Garfunkel and Oates") as Emmy Lou; Tia Carrere ("Wayne's World") as Antie Olina; and comedian Patton Oswalt as Mr. McSnorter.

The Emmy-nominated creative talent behind Disney Junior's hit series, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," comprise the production team: Rob LaDuca is executive producer, Mark Seidenberg is co-executive producer and supervising story editor, and Thomas Hart is story editor. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Beginning Sunday, December 25, on the Disney Junior App, kids can unlock daily content, such as short videos and mini-games, via a Hot Dog Hills interactive map counting down to the series premiere. A suite of games featuring a unique experience with each one of the Fabulous Five will be available on the app on Sunday, January 15.

Brand extensions timed to the series premiere include toys, storybooks, apparel, plush and home décor from Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. The theme song is currently available on iTunes, and Disney Studios will release a DVD this spring.

About Disney Junior

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 35 Disney Junior channels in 27 languages around the world.