In a sport where speed, endurance, and spectacle reign supreme, few stories have captured the imagination of fans quite like the 2023 Garage 56 project that took NASCAR to the world’s most iconic endurance race — the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now, the unforgettable journey returns to the spotlight with the release of American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans, a new documentary chronicling the bold and historic effort to bring a stock car roaring onto the Circuit de la Sarthe.
To celebrate the film’s debut, racing legends Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and other key figures behind the ambitious project reunited to reflect on their experience. Hosted at a special screening event in Charlotte, North Carolina — the heart of NASCAR country — the reunion served as both a celebration and a heartfelt look back at what many called one of the most daring crossovers in modern motorsport history.
“This wasn’t just about going racing,” said Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. “It was about showing the world what NASCAR was capable of, on a global stage, and doing it in a way that honored the spirit of Le Mans.”
The documentary takes viewers deep behind the scenes of the unprecedented collaboration between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, Goodyear, and the sanctioning body IMSA. From design and testing to sleepless nights in the French countryside, American Thunder captures every twist, turn, and tire change that led to the historic debut of a modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the 2023 edition of the 24-hour race.
The team’s driver lineup was equally star-studded, including seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Formula 1 veteran Jenson Button, and Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller. Together, the trio piloted the V8-powered beast through rain, nightfall, and relentless competition, ultimately finishing with heads held high and the crowd on their feet.
“The car was loud, aggressive, and totally out of place — and that’s exactly what made it so special,” Johnson recalled during the panel. “We weren’t just participating. We were putting on a show, and the fans loved it.”
The film, directed by motorsports documentarian Erik Parker, blends race footage, intimate interviews, and never-before-seen moments in the paddock to deliver a full-throttle tribute to American grit and ambition. It also explores the challenges of translating NASCAR’s oval-born DNA to the complex, multi-class dynamics of Le Mans.
“This wasn’t just a side project. It was a statement,” said Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports’ VP of Competition and a key figure in the build and execution of the Garage 56 car. “What we pulled off in 2023 pushed boundaries and opened doors.”
American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans is now available for streaming on major platforms and will be featured at select motorsports film festivals throughout the summer.
For fans of endurance racing, stock cars, or simply incredible underdog stories, this film offers a rare look at the passion and persistence it takes to make motorsport history — one lap at a time.
