CHARLOTTE, N.C. – During the NASCAR playoff media day on Wednesday, several of the sport’s top drivers expressed enthusiasm for a cameo in the upcoming sequel to the 1990 film Days of Thunder. The sequel, starring Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway, is slated for a 2028 release.
Joey Logano, the 71‑win, three‑time Cup Series champion who drives the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford, said a film appearance would be the ultimate “dad points” for his five children. “Yeah, are you kidding me — that’s like wicked cool dad points to be in ‘Days of Thunder,’” Logano told reporters.
Other drivers want in
Chase Briscoe echoed the sentiment, noting that drivers are likely to appear in the movie. “Absolutely, I would love to be,” Briscoe said. “I would think they are going to use some of the drivers. Maybe our car will just be in it, but I would love to be in there.” Kyle Larson added a light‑hearted note, joking, “I’m not an actor, so I don’t want to make the film worse,” but confirmed he’d enjoy being on set.
Filming is expected to begin early next year, and the drivers hope their involvement will showcase the sport’s evolution since the original film’s debut 36 years ago.
Tom Cruise’s recent visit
Tom Cruise surprised the field last weekend when he arrived at the Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway in a black Chevrolet Suburban. He spent 20‑25 minutes with drivers and team owners, discussing his vision for the sequel and how he wants to portray NASCAR today. Briscoe described Cruise as “super nice” and said the star was genuinely interested in learning about the sport’s routine.
Charlotte‑based Hendrick Motorsports, which helped build and maintain the stock cars for the original movie, may again play a role in the production, though no official confirmation has been made. Four‑time champion Jeff Gordon, now Hendrick’s vice chairman, has long advocated for a sequel and maintains a friendship with Cruise dating back to a 2015 NASCAR banquet.
Legacy of the original film
The original Days of Thunder featured NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett and Harry Gant in cameo roles. Logano hopes to follow in their footsteps, noting he has watched the film countless times with his children, who remain big fans.
While the drivers’ hopes are still speculative, the excitement surrounding the project underscores NASCAR’s cultural impact and its ongoing partnership with Hollywood. As production plans solidify, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite racers potentially sharing the screen with one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
