AMC Greenlights ‘Thunder Road’ Featuring Dennis Quaid

AMC has officially announced the greenlight of its forthcoming NASCAR drama series, Thunder Road, which will feature Dennis Quaid in a leading role.

The announcement was made during AMC Global Media’s Upfront showcase in New York.

Set against the backdrop of stock car racing, Thunder Road follows the multi-generational story of the Whitlock family, whose roots in the Southern hill country intertwine deeply with their racing legacy.

Quaid will portray Duane Whitlock, also known as The Wrecking Ball—a legendary figure who constructed a racing empire from a history of moonshine and dirt tracks. As the Whitlocks face ruthless competitors eager to destroy their dynasty, Duane battles to maintain the family’s legacy.

Production for the series is set to begin this summer, with an expected launch on AMC and AMC+ in 2027.

Thunder Road is created and executive produced by John Fusco, with Taylor Elmore serving as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Cliff Roberts from Syndicate Entertainment and Mark L. Smith, alongside NASCAR Studio’s Tim Clark and John Dahl, with Gladys Cheng as producer. This series represents the first long-form drama to collaborate with NASCAR.

Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Global Media and President of AMC Studios, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “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.”