‘Thunder Road’: AMC Officially Greenlits Dennis Quaid led NASCAR Drama!!

What if Yellowstone… had race cars? AMC is getting into the NASCAR drama business, and it’s bringing Dennis Quaid along for the ride. The network announced during its Upfront Content Showcase that it has greenlit Thunder Road, a new scripted drama series from AMC Studios and NASCAR Studios. The show is set to begin production this summer before debuting on AMC and AMC+ in 2027. Basically, if you’ve ever thought stock car racing could use a little more dynasty chaos, family betrayal, and southern grit, buckle up, buttercup.

AMC released the following description of the series: “Thunder Road follows the multi-generational saga of the fictional Whitlock family, whose legacy in stock car racing is as deep as the family’s ties to the southern hill country roots that shaped them. Quaid will play racing legend Duane Whitlock aka ‘The Wrecking Ball,’ a towering figure who built a racing empire from a legacy of moonshine runs and dirt tracks and refuses to let it die. With ruthless competitors who will stop at nothing to dethrone and destroy them, The Whitlocks are a blue-collar dynasty at the edge of extinction – and the old king is fighting to hold onto the crown.”

Who’s Involved in ‘Thunder Road’?

Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Global Media and President of AMC Studios, said the company is excited to work with NASCAR on the series and praised Quaid’s casting. “We are thrilled to team up with NASCAR, a world-class partner that continues to engage and entertain their deeply loyal fans for nearly 80 years. And in the ultimate dream casting, we’re fortunate to have the legendary Dennis Quaid lead this captivating series. This show will be a nonstop thrill ride for viewers.”

The series is created and executive produced by John Fusco (Young Guns, The Highwaymen), with Taylor Elmore (Justified, Tulsa King) serving as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Cliff Roberts (Untamed) with Syndicate Entertainment, Mark L. Smith (Untamed, The Revenant, American Primeval), and NASCAR Studios’ Tim Clark and John Dahl (The Last Dance). Gladys Cheng will serve as producer.