Negative-G - Carowinds Theme Park -2026

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The Thunder Striker Rollercoaster at Carowinds Theme Park, Charlotte North & South Carolina

Across from the Carolina Skytower is the first coaster that I ever rode at Carowinds...Thunder Striker.

Of course back in 2010 when I first visited this Bolliger & Mabillard hyper-coaster wasn't called Thunder Striker. That year; which was the rides inaugural, Cedar Fair decided to go all NASCAR and name two of their coasters Intimidator which was race driver Dale Earnhardt's nickname. In 2023 the licensing agreement came to an end so Carowinds had to rename the coasters and this one ended up as Thunder Striker.

Thunder Striker, as a name really doesn't do much for me, but as we are in the south where racing is big. Carowinds decided to stick with the racing theme and re-theme Intimidator to be named after a fictional hot rod that some dude named Earl has fixed up.

The Thunder Striker Rollercoaster at Copperhead Strike Roller Coaster at Carowinds Theme Park, Charlotte North & South Carolina

Name aside Thunder Striker is quite the ride.

Thunder Striker is an "L" shaped out and back coaster that goes along the north and eastern borders of Carowinds.