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Documentary Highlighting NASCAR’s Le Mans Journey Set for Release
The upcoming documentary titled American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans is set to premiere on Amazon’s Prime Video on June 12th, coinciding with the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which takes place just two days later.
This film chronicles the experience of Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours, where their stock car entry captivated audiences. Viewers can expect to see amusing scenes of the sizable car navigating among traditional Le Mans competitors, even overtaking prototypes with sheer speed on straight sections. Additionally, the NASCAR crew showcased their expertise by winning the Pit Stop Challenge prior to the race start.
#65 Panis Racing Oreca 07 – Gibson of Manuel Maldonado, Tijmen Van Der Helm, Job Van Uitert, #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
The documentary features notable drivers including 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and 2010 Le Mans overall winner Mike Rockenfeller, all piloting the over-700 horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The No. 24 Chevrolet ZL1 demonstrated impressive performance, ranking as high as 27th overall and leading the GTE-Am field after 20 hours of racing without significant issues. However, disaster struck when, after twenty hours and nine minutes, the car faced a major mechanical failure due to a drive line issue while Button was behind the wheel.
Chad Knaus, one of the most esteemed crew chiefs in NASCAR history, quickly mobilized his team to address the mechanical setback and get the car back on the track. Remarkably, Rockenfeller achieved the vehicle’s fastest lap during the race with an incredible time of 3:50.512.
#24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
The Garage 56 entry aimed to outperform the entire GTE field, a goal they might have accomplished had it not been for the mechanical setback. Nevertheless, completing the grueling 24-hour endurance race—far exceeding the typical four to five-hour NASCAR events—was a significant achievement. The No. 24 car ultimately finished in 39th place, completing 285 laps around the iconic 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe.
The documentary is a collaborative production involving NASCAR Studios, Griffin Van Malssen, and director Brad Lockhart, with executive producers including Jeff Gordon and key figures from Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR.
In a related initiative, Amazon is also developing another documentary focused on Hendrick Motorsports, documenting Kyle Larson’s efforts to successfully complete the Indy 500 and Coke 600 double, following a near-miss in the previous year. Prime Video will additionally be collaborating with HMS as a sponsor during the current season.
Topics of interest:
Le Mans
NASCAR Cup
Source
www.motorsport.com