Click here for the "Drive" Web site.

The participants in the underground, illegal race rolled into Rome’s After Sunset drive-in just before 9 p.m. Monday, arriving just as dusk settled over the North Georgia mountains.

Except the sun went down at 8:14 p.m. Monday, and Rome hasn’t had a drive-in for years.

Instead, a faux Rome, Ga., was featured as a destination point for the fictional characters of “Drive,” a recently launched television series on Fox.

The plot of the show centers on a white-knuckle cross-country race with a significant payday waiting for drivers at the end of the road. Rome served as race checkpoint for Monday’s episode.

The city was mentioned repeatedly during the course of the show, with the name superimposed over a map in bold, white lettering.

City officials were caught by surprise at Rome’s mention on the show.

“It’s news to me,” said Lisa Smith, director of Greater Rome Convention and Tourism Bureau. Although Smith was not familiar with the show, the right kind of exposure can always be beneficial, she said.

“Anytime we get public media mentioning our name in a positive light, it’s always good,” Smith said.

Jennifer Collins, public information officer for the City of Rome, was also unaware of the show but had similar thoughts the benefits of the high-profile exposure.

“Anytime Rome is featured or mentioned, of course it draws attention to our area. It might spark some curiosity and make them (viewers) want to come see what Rome’s all about,” Collins said.

Drive can be seen Mondays at 8 p.m. on Fox, Comcast channel 5, according to fox.com.