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NASCAR To Be Centerpiece of High-Octane Television Show 'Thunder Road'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Carelli | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 7:30 AM ET

The NASCAR universe is entering a new realm — television. However, this is not reality television, but rather, it is a television show featuring Hollywood star Dennis Quaid. Quaid will star in an AMC-produced TV show titled "Thunder Road."

Per Variety, the show will follow the Whitlock family, which is deeply ingrained in the world of stock car racing. Their "legacy runs as deep as the family's ties to the southern hill country roots that shaped them."

The main character that Quiad will play is Duane Whitelock, a "wrecking-ball" who fights to keep his family's blue-collar legacy alive in the ever-corporatizing world of NASCAR.

NASCAR Enters Hollywood

NBC camera catches the action during the Quaker State 400 NASCAR Cup Series. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The show is a way from being on television yet, with production aimed to begin this upcoming summer. However, it is a significant step toward stock car racing. If the show becomes a hit, NASCAR will only grow further. It is a hopeful way to gain a new audience.

Much of the synopsis seems to give off Yellowstone, Kevin Costner vibes. It is a show about a family's legacy, in which they aim to keep it alive in the roots of American history, in which case it is motorsports in the South of the USA.

NASCAR has direct involvement in the series, with Tim Clark and John Dahl producing on its behalf. Clark has most recently produced the 2025 "Earnhardt" documentary, while Dahl has been on projects such as "Billions" and the legendary poker movie with Matt Damon and Edward Norton, "Rounders".

The show has been written by and will be produced by John Fusco. Fusco has previously produced the hit Netflix show "Marco Polo" and a 2019 movie featuring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, "The Highwaymen."

This is not the first time this calendar year that NASCAR has been engaged with television. The series has an ongoing behind-the-scenes show, "Full Speed." The CW also had a cameo by Justin Allgaier this past Monday on their hit show, "Wild Cards."

Fans hope that the show will be a hit, but only time will tell. Keep a keen eye out for any production happening on track at summer races in 2026; they may pop up.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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