They say stock cars don’t belong in Le Mans. That it’s a place built for sleek, futuristic prototypes and GTs—not brute machines designed for ovals. But someone forgot to tell NASCAR Boss Jim France and the Hendrick Motorsports team.
For over a century, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has stood as the ultimate test in endurance racing. It’s where motorsport royalty is born. But in 2023, something happened that shifted the paradigm. For the first time, NASCAR wasn’t just watching from across the Atlantic—it was racing. And now, the story behind that groundbreaking moment is finally coming to your screen.
What is American Thunder all about?
Previously dubbed “Garage 56,” this feature-length documentary charts the incredible 18-month journey that saw an American stock car rev through France’s most prestigious racetrack. The project wasn’t just a publicity stunt. It was NASCAR’s 100-year gift to Le Mans. And more importantly, a dream come true for NASCAR Chairman Jim France, who had long hoped to see one of his own machines take on the most grueling race on the planet.
To make that dream a reality, France called in the big guns: Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, Goodyear and a trio of world-class drivers—Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller. Their mission? To transform a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1—designed for 3-hour sprints on American ovals—into a 24-hour enduring beast.
Produced by NASCAR Studios and Griffin Van Malssen, and directed by Brad Lockhart, the documentary dives deep into the grit, the science, the setbacks, and ultimately, the triumph of what’s been called one of the boldest experiments in modern motorsports. Executive producers include Jeff Gordon, along with top brass from NASCAR like Tim Clark and Matt Summers.
It Wasn’t About Winning—It Was About Belonging
In June 2023, as Le Mans celebrated its 100th anniversary, NASCAR’s entry took the world by surprise, not just for its engine growl that echoed across the French countryside, but for how seriously it showed up to compete.
The #24 Camaro ZL1 didn’t just roll in to make noise. It ran as high as 27th overall, even led the entire GTE-Am field, and won hearts with its pit crew’s 10-second stop that bagged the Pit Stop Challenge. Though the car suffered a driveline failure after 20 hours, the crew got it back on track, and it finished 39th out of 62 entries—a testament to determination and good ol’ American muscle.
Where and when to watch American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans
Circle your calendar—June 12, 2025. That’s when American Thunder drops exclusively on Prime Video. Whether you’re in Daytona or Denmark, if you’ve got Prime, you’re good to go. It’ll be available in more than 180 countries and territories, making it one of NASCAR’s most globally accessible releases ever.
If you’re already a Prime member, it’s part of your subscription. No extra charges. Just log in and witness the thunder. And if you’re not a Prime member? Time to join the club. Because trust us—this is not just a NASCAR doc. It’s a story about daring to break boundaries, to cross oceans, and to prove you belong.
Was it worth it?
While American Thunder celebrates the thrill of track action, it also gives us something rare—insight into NASCAR’s willingness to evolve. Yes, this was Jim France’s dream. But it was also a message: NASCAR isn’t just looking inward. It’s looking outward. Boldly. Which aligns just right with their vision to put themselves on the global map. And in the process, it gave us one hell of a story.
Not to forget, NASCAR’s newest media partner is treating us with a new Dale Earnhardt documentary this year. And this is going to be followed by a documentary on Kyle Larson’s “Double” attempt, racing at the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The documentary is expected to be released in 2026. So, fans are going to have enough dose of entertainment apart from the Sunday thrillers.
So, are you ready for the roar of American V8S on French soil? Set your reminder. June 12. Prime Video. The thunder is coming.
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