The NASCAR event, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, was a weekend of racing action at Daytona International Speedway, and driver Ryan Preece emerged victorious. But it was an extra-special event, not just for the skilled driving on display, but also because Hollywood icon Tom Cruise attended on Saturday, August 29.
Tom Cruise Looks So Happy Back at Daytona International Speedway
GettyCruise attended the event to promote his new film, “Days of Thunder 2,” the long-awaited sequel to the original film, “Days of Thunder,” released in 1990. In photos, the actor looks so happy as he mingles with fans and industry people. He also gave a speech onstage.
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Getty“It’s not just about racing,” Cruise said, HuffPost reports. “It’s about the community and the people here. There’s something very special about racers and the whole community. It’s a culture, and I was very proud to be able to reflect that in the first ‘Days of Thunder,’ and I am honored to share it with the world.”
He continued, “That’s basically what we’re going to really go for with this one. Give the audience that opportunity to understand what it is as a team, as a community, what it is for NASCAR, and the speed, the excitement, and all that danger and stuff.”
Tom Cruise Tackles His Own Stunts
GettyCruise is not just an exceptional actor; he is also a skilled stuntman who often chooses to do his own stunts in films. But things don’t always go according to plan, and he joked about it, recalling an incident on the first “Days of Thunder” film set.
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Getty“Last time I was at this track, actually, I was on the backstraight, and I was shooting with two very heavy cameras traveling — I don’t know, 180 miles an hour — and suddenly the hood was off of the car,” Cruise recalled, HuffPost reports.
He continued, “The sun is setting, and I’m trying to get all my lines out before we lost the light. And, suddenly, the whole car was in flames. It turned from a barbecue to a bonfire on the backstraight. Couldn’t even get the crew to come in and help me just because radio (communications) didn’t work in the backstraight. I hear that’s still possible, correct? You guys didn’t fix that. Well, that’s good.”
Anne Hathaway Joining Tom Cruise for ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel
The new photos of Cruise came at the same time he revealed that actress Anne Hathaway would be joining him in “Days of Thunder 2.” He posted a photo of them together on Instagram on August 29 to tease the film.
Getty“Days of Thunder 2” will be released by Paramount Pictures on June 2, 2028, and Cruise will reprise his role as driver Cole Trickle. Hathaway “is set to play a racecar team owner and engineer,” Variety reports, adding that Jonathan Levine will direct and Cruise will produce the film with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
