Amazon gives release date to NASCAR’s Garage 56 Le Mans documentary

Titled American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans, the documentary will finally release on Amazon’s Prime Video on June 12th of this year — just two days before the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The film will follow Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR’s journey throughout the 2023 Le Mans 24 where the stock car entry stole the show and the hearts of all those watching. There were several clips of the humorously large car lurking behind the usual Le Mans entries and even passing prototypes with its raw power on the straightaways. And with its NASCAR pit crew, it unsurprisingly won the Pit Stop Challenge before the race.

2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and 2010 Le Mans 24 overall winner Mike Rockenfeller were all behind the wheel of the 700+ horsepower machine.

The No. 24 Chevrolet ZL1 ran as high as 27th overall and was ahead of the entire GTE-Am field after 20 hours. Up to this point, the car had no real issues and no offs to speak of. But unfortunately, after twenty hours and nine minutes of racing, they encountered their first major mechanical setback as the car was stricken by a drive line issue. Buttton was driving at the time disaster struck.

Chad Knaus — one of the most successful crew chiefs in NASCAR history — put his team to work to quickly repair the car and finish the race. They did return and not just to limp around the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. No, Rockenfeller promptly put down its fastest race lap yet at a 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 was aiming to beat the entire GTE field, which it would have achieved without the issue. But still, the primary objective was to finish the race. Even the longest NASCAR events only reach four to five hours, so to make it 24 hours was quite. The car placed 39th overall as he crossed the finish line, completing 285 laps around the 8.5-mile circuit.

The documentary is being produced by NASCAR Studios along with Griffin Van Malssen and director Brad Lockhart. Jeff Gordon and HMS serve as executive producers, as do Tim Clark, John Dahl, Amy Anderson, Tally Hair, and Matt Summers of NASCAR.

Amazon is working on another Hendrick-focused documentary in May, following Kyle Larson in his historic attempt to complete the Indy 500 / Coke 600 double after shockingly failing to do so one year ago. Prime Video is also partnering with HMS as a sponsor this year.