Thunder Alley is a 1967 film about auto racing directed by Richard Rush and starring Annette Funicello and Fabian Forte.

After the accident, he begins working at a Pete Madsen's "Thrill Circus" as a stunt driver.

This leads to Tommy's gold-digging ex-girlfriend Annie Blaine scheming to steal the hot young driver away from Francie.

Francie goads ex-fiance Eddie into reckless maneuvers on the track, causing him to crash.

[5] The director was Richard Rush who had made a number of lower budgeted films.

Rush said before filming, "Sam Arkoff took me aside and said, 'Look, [Jim] Nicholson has got this girlfriend, and I don't want her on the picture.'

[7] Diane McBain wrote in her memoir that "I didn’t know at the time, but this film would mark the beginning of the end of my career in motion pictures."

She said Rush "tried to make something of the cliche-ridden script" and "Walt Disney must have been shocked to see Annette, his former television Mouseketeer, play the part of a young woman who threw orgies and became a drunk driver.

"Richard Rush is a terrific director and stunt man and I actually used part of the score from this film in the big car chase scene in my movie Death Proof.

"[11] According to Diabolique magazine: Thunder Alley is a far more cohesive and successful film than Fireball 500 – a solid drama with a thumping soundtrack... and Annette Funicello is really good – but then it’s a strong role, perhaps her best ever for AIP.

[12]The film features the song "When You Get What You Want" by Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner, performed by Annette Funicello.