Get ready, because NASCAR is going absolutely full throttle on the sequel to the iconic 1990 racing flick, “Days of Thunder.” We’re talking over 80 cars being built from scratch for “Days of Thunder 2,” and they aren’t messing around with green screens either. This entire movie is set to be shot at actual, honest-to-goodness NASCAR tracks.
Cole Trickle is Back Behind the Wheel
Yeah, you heard that right. Tom Cruise, who gave us the legendary “Cole Trickle” in the original, is coming back as the star. The man is 64 years old and still ready to burn rubber on the big screen! He won’t be alone though, as the super talented Anne Hathaway is set to co-star in this sequel. We’ve got a release date slated for June 2, 2028, so mark your calendars.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell recounted what Cruise himself told officials about what to expect. He said Cruise straight up told them, “You better be ready for this. …People are going to tune in that have never seen a race.” You gotta love that confidence, right? Cruise even showed up at Daytona International Speedway last August, right at the Cup Series regular season finale, to drop the news about “Days of Thunder 2.” This isn’t just a movie, it’s a full-blown declaration.
Remember the original? That rivalry between Trickle and Michael Rooker’s “Rowdy Bruns”? It made $157.9 million worldwide, so the bar is already set sky-high for this next chapter.
NASCAR’s All-Out Media Blitz
Building 80+ cars and filming at real tracks shows how much money and time NASCAR is pouring into this project. It’s part of a bigger plan, honestly, to get the sport into the mainstream spotlight. They’ve been at it for years. Remember “NASCAR: Full Speed” on Netflix? That docuseries dove deep into the playoffs for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, following Cup Series stars like Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney.
Then it came back in 2026 as an 87-minute documentary on Prime Video, just focusing on the prestige of the Daytona 500. They’re even hitting YouTube with projects like “The San Diego Mini Movie: NASCAR vs Navy,” featuring Blaney, Bell, and Carson Hocevar, to promote their inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado.
It’s clear NASCAR wants everyone to see what they’re all about. This “Days of Thunder 2” isn’t just a movie, it’s a massive swing to bring new eyeballs to the track.
So, when June 2, 2028 rolls around, don’t be surprised if your buddy who never watched a race is suddenly talking about drafting and pit stops. NASCAR is betting big, and with Tom Cruise back in the driver’s seat, it just might pay off huge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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