Now, this is wild. According to Motorsport.com, NASCAR is preparing to build more than 80 race cars specifically for the production of a sequel to the legendary 1990 film Days of Thunder. That staggering number eclipses the roughly 60 race cars used during the making of the original movie.
The project brings back Tom Cruise to reprise his role as Cole Trickle, with Anne Hathaway joining the cast in a new role. The film is officially slated for release in June of 2028. It follows in the footsteps of the recent Formula 1 movie, which also involved producer Jerry Bruckheimer and worked closely with the FIA for authentic on-track footage.
That said, the groundwork is already well underway. Tom Cruise made an appearance at Daytona International Speedway at the end of the 2026 regular season for the Cup Series to confirm the film and address the NASCAR garage directly. As a long-time fan of the sport, Cruise told the drivers and mechanics that he intends to treat racing with respect, aiming to give audiences a true window into the speed, community, excitement, and danger of the series.
NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell, who recently sat down for an interview with the Wall Street Journal as reported by Motorsport.com, revealed that Cruise warned the sanctioning body to be ready for an influx of new viewers. O'Donnell took over the CEO role from Jim France early in 2026, marking the first time a non-family member has held the position.
Back in 1990, the original production relied on Hendrick Motorsports to build five custom race cars equipped with specialized camera gear, and even allowed film cars driven by actual NASCAR drivers to join the real field during events like the Daytona 500. There is genuine hope within the sport that this gritty drama will ignite a massive new wave of interest from audiences who have never watched a race before.
