Dennis Quaid is set for a lead role in a series set in the world of NASCAR currently in development at AMC.
Quaid will star in “Thunder Road,” which is being produced in partnership between AMC and NASCAR. The show is described as “a multi-generational saga of the 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,” per the official logline.
Quaid will star as Duane Whitlock, a.k.a. The Wrecking Ball.” He is described as “a NASCAR legend” and “a towering figure who built a racing empire from a legacy of moonshine runs and dirt tracks… and refuses to let it die. This is a story about a blue collar dynasty at the edge of extinction — and the old king fighting to hold onto his crown.”
The series is currently on the fast track for a series order at AMC with Quaid’s attachment, with hopes to begin production this summer.
Quaid recently starred in the Paramount+ serial killer drama “Happy Face” as well as the Taylor Sheridan-produced “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” at the streamer. He has previously starred on shows like “Merry Happy Whatever,” “The Art of More,” and “Vegas.” He is primarily known for his film roles, having led features such as “The Rookie,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “Traffic,” “Frequency,” “The Parent Trap,” “The Right Stuff,” “Breaking Away,” and ”Midway” among many others.
He is repped by UTA and Hansen Jacobson.
John Fusco is the writer and executive producer on “Thunder Road.” Taylor Elmore will executive produce and serve as showrunner. Cliff Roberts executive produces along with Mark L. Smith. Tim Clark and John Dahl executive produce on behalf of NASCAR. Gladys Cheng produces.
This marks the latest push into sports content for AMC. The basic cabler recently found success with the docuseries “Rise of the 49ers,” which premiered as the highest-rated new series for the network since “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.” AMC also recently became the home of TNA Wrestling and its weekly Thursday show “TNA Impact.”
Deadline first reported Quaid’s casting.
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