The program featured coverage of short track events from dirt and paved oval tracks around the United States (primarily around the Indianapolis area), including USAC Silver Crown, midget, and sprint car races.
[1][2] Jeff Gordon was introduced to midget racing via Thursday Night Thunder.
[2][3] On July 21, 1990, Rich Vogler was killed in a fatal crash during the final lap of a USAC event on Saturday Night Thunder from Salem Speedway.
[4] In 1993, ESPN broadcast the Fast Masters —a series of races involving retired drivers—via the program.
[5] In December 2022, ESPN acquired the rights to Tony Stewart's Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) series, replacing CBS Sports.