Tom Cruise brought some Hollywood excitement to Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. The actor made an appearance at NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 29. His visit came just hours after he shared major news about the next “Days of Thunder” movie. Cruise also met drivers and fans before the big race.
Tom Cruise surprised NASCAR racers at Daytona to hype the upcoming Days of Thunder sequel
Cruise was at the drivers’ meeting and addressed the crowd at the track, according to Just Jared. He chatted with NASCAR drivers, greeted fans and posed for pictures. He also stood for the National Anthem before the race. Cruise was accompanied at Daytona by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Jonathan Levine, producer Tommy Harper and screenwriter Will Staples.
Later that night, Ryan Preece won the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The victory gave Preece his first points-paying NASCAR Cup Series win and the final spot in The Chase. “I’m just speechless right now,” Preece said after the race. “Those guys, that 60 group, we’re fighters.” He added, “When you put our back against the wall, we swing hard.”
Cruise also revealed that the sequel to “Days of Thunder” will be released in June of 2028. The shoot will start once his new co-star Anne Hathaway gives birth to her baby. Cruise will make a comeback as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle in the 1990s film. Hathaway is going to be an owner and an engineer for the new movie.
The Daytona appearance came as Cruise prepares to return to the racing world on screen. The original “Days of Thunder” debuted in 1990 and starred Cruise as Cole Trickle. The new movie will reunite Cruise with the world of NASCAR through a new story. Tom Cruise’s visit to Daytona also provided a close-up look at the star before the sequel.
Originally reported by Ashna Gaur for Reality Tea
