NASCAR CEO: Tom Cruise Expressed Interest in Racing at Daytona

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell said in a recent interview that actor Tom Cruise expressed interest in racing in the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona International Speedway.

Cruise told O'Donnell this at Daytona International Speedway in August as a part of the official announcement of "Days of Thunder 2".

When asked about how NASCAR will balance accurately portraying its racing in film and the dramatization of racing that Hollywood will bring to the film, O'Donnell was "shocked" at what Cruise said.

"He said we have an ARCA racing series which is kind of our national touring series but Tom wanted to go race in one of those. I'm not sure that's going to happen but he wants it to be as authentic as it can be. We'll still see how the storylines but all that's playing out right now," O'Donnell said.

O'Donnell added NASCAR is producing "over 80 racecars" that will be a part of the project. Some of the cars will be wrecked and may not come back. However, to O'Donnell, he said it represents a "total investment" from the sport into the project.

Adding fuel to this, Cruise told O'Donnell the film will open NASCAR up to "an entirely new audience." As a result, O'Donnell is focusing on how to best educate new fans.

"There's some things that we'll work together on. Do people under the points system? How does the Chase work? How long are the races? All these things kind of to make sure that a new fan, who may come out to the racetrack, understands because for us this is a whole new open door for us to bring new fans," O'Donnell said.

The original "Days of Thunder", released in 1990, starred Cruise as racer Cole Trickle, with Nicole Kidman as the co-star – playing a nurse who becomes Trickle's girlfriend. The sequel will see Cruise likely reprise his role as Trickle, alongside actress Anne Hathaway in an unknown role.

The premise of "Days of Thunder 2" is unknown. However. O'Donnell said it will focus on where the sport is today and where it is going from here. 

The original "Days of Thunder" saw multiple film cars turn laps in the Daytona 500. Bobby Hamilton drove a No. 51 car in the pace laps of the race while and Tommy Ellis drove a No. 18 car. In the film, the No. 51 car was driven by Trickle while the No. 18 car was driven by Russ Wheeler. The film also included footage of the Daytona 500 itself. 

The film included scenes filmed at Darlington Raceway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Phoenix Raceway. 

The original "Days of Thunder" film made $157.6 million on a $60 million budget. Adjusted for inflation, the film made around $406.3M on a $154.7M budget.

"Days of Thunder 2" is reportedly set for a June 2, 2028 release.