AMC, the company behind "The Walking Dead", "Mad Men", and Anne Rice's "Immortal Universe", is joining hands with NASCAR to develop a big-scale racing drama titled "Thunder Road", headlined by Hollywood veteran Dennis Quaid.
Interestingly, another veteran actor, Michael Rooker, who starred alongside Tom Cruise in the similar-sounding racing drama "Days of Thunder", is joining Quaid. Other actors include West Duchovny, Chase Stokes, Matt Barr, and Maggie Grace.
Per the official logline from AMC, “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.”
It further adds, "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."
In an official statement, Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Global Media and President of AMC Studios, said, “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 network is aiming for a premiere on AMC first, sometime in 2027. Production is slated to commence this summer.
Gladys Cheng is the producer. John Fusco ("Young Guns", "The Highwaymen") is creating and executive producing the show with Taylor Elmore ("Justified", "Tulsa King"), who is involved as showrunner and executive producer. Cliff Roberts and Mark L. Smith, who worked on the Eric Bana show "Untamed", are the other executive producers, teaming up with Syndicate Entertainment and NASCAR Studio’s Tim Clark and John Dahl.
