What’s behind the name change of a popular Carowinds roller coaster?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A popular Carowinds roller coaster that honored a legendary NASCAR driver has a new name.
The Intimidator is now the Thunder Striker. Fans will remember the coaster being decked out for racing legend and Kannapolis native Dale Earnhardt, whose estate licensed use of the name to Cedar Fair when the coaster opened in March 2010.
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Chris Stoff runs the YouTube channel “Theme Park Predictions” and holds a Carowinds season pass.
“People don’t like change, right? So, when you change the name, there’s going to be positive and negative,” Stoff said. “I tried to be on the more positive side. I think I could have created a better name for it. But it’s better than some generic name.”
The racecar theme and signs have already been removed from one of the tallest, fastest longest roller coasters in the region. When Queen City News visited the park Wednesday after, our crews saw the spot that once showed Earnhardt’s autograph.
A Carowinds spokesperson said the change comes following the contract ending with Dale Earnhardt Inc. for the naming and theming of roller coaster at the end of 2023.
“We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to DEI for years of a successful partnership,” a statement reads. “This marks the commencement of an exciting new chapter for Carowinds and its iconic attraction. Carowinds is finalizing creative assets, including theming. We remain dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences for our guests and look forward to sharing more details soon.”
In 2019, the minor-league baseball team in Kannapolis changed its named from the Intimidators to the Cannon Ballers.
Thunder Striker pays homage to an iconic wooden coaster that closed back in 2015. The red, gray and black you can see from miles away will stay for now, but fans expect more changes could be coming to the park soon.
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“They’ll keep the same colors because they just repainted the ride in 2020,” Stoff said. “So, there’s no need to repaint it, but I can imagine five, six, or seven years from now, when they go back to repaint the ride they’ll blend in the newer colors with the logo, potentially so we’ll see.”
The federal government is reviewing a merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags announced last fall. Some fans say they aren’t shocked the company is making money moves before the big deal.
“Now, they free up some money with this big merger coming up with six flags. It makes sense because the park’s trying to really cut down on any extra expense they don’t necessarily need,” Stoff said. “The name Thunder Striker is just a generic name. There’s no money involved in terms of licensing that, so it’s a smart move for the park and the rides still the same, which is great.”
Carowinds reopens for the season on March 9. Queen City News reached out to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, which was formed after DEI halted business, for comment on the end of the licensing agreement, but we have not heard back.
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