For many years, NASCAR has drawn fans with its fast-paced action, strong rivalries, and exciting finishes. The thrilling appeal of this American motorsport didn’t spare the entertainment business either, as it has often inspired filmmakers to bring its racing energy to the big screen. Renewed interest in racing films, sparked by the recent excitement around the F1 movie, has brought “Days of Thunder” back into the spotlight with talks of its sequel in production.
The 1990 classic, known for its portrayal of NASCAR, was a big hit and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound. Directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the movie featured Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle, a talented but reckless driver who moves from IndyCar to NASCAR. The original movie is still a fan favorite, and with Cruise’s fame continuing to peak, the chances for a sequel are strong. The new film could follow the successful style of “Top Gun: Maverick,” with an older Cole guiding a new racer in the NASCAR world.
The excitement for a sequel isn’t confined to Hollywood. The NASCAR community is also buzzing about the news. And now, Kyle Larson is the latest among the lot to drop his own perspective on the sequel and what role he could play in it.
Kyle Larson is up for an acting role in the Days of Thunder sequel
On a recent episode of Julian Edelman’s “Games With Names” podcast, guest Kyle Larson discussed numerous topics, including racing movies. The conversation specifically touched on the long-awaited sequel to the 1990 NASCAR film, “Days of Thunder.” Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that the sequel is in its early phase of production, decades after the original’s release.
Larson, who called “Days of Thunder” his favorite racing movie, said that he would love to have a role in the sequel. He also shared a big hint about the project’s progress, revealing a talk between his team’s vice chairman, Jeff Gordon, and Tom Cruise. Larson said, “Well, I was with Jeff Gordon the other night, and he’s good friends with Tom. He went to whatever the premiere or whatever of ‘Mission: Impossible.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, he was right.’ When I saw Tom, he’s like, ‘We’re doing it. We’ve got to do another Days of Thunder.’ So, yeah. I hope they do it.”
In that conversation, Larson was asked if he would still do the role if they asked him to play the bad guy. “The bad guy? I don’t know,” he responded. “I don’t feel like I’m the bad guy yet in real racing. So, I don’t think I could be the bad guy and heel.” Instead, he suggested a different name: Denny Hamlin. Larson stated, “Well, Denny Hamlin is definitely the heel right now. And he plays it up so great, though. Like he is and like he’s good. He’s with a good team, so he can back it up, too. So, yeah, he’s good. I don’t know.”
Hamlin is solidifying his role as one of NASCAR’s most polarizing figures, a public persona that has drawn both passionate cheers and vocal boos. This aggressive and outspoken style has positioned him as the sport’s modern “heel”—a character once perfected by Kyle Busch. Busch’s villain persona was defined by moments like the 2008 Bristol Night Race, where he mocked a booing crowd after winning. But in the case of Hamlin, he embraces this role.
Kyle Larson’s life story is often compared to a perfect modern-day parallel to the DOT lead character Cole Trickle. Just like the character, Larson experienced a dramatic career downturn. After a controversial incident, he lost his team, with his company car being impounded just hours after the fallout. However, this low point didn’t extinguish Larson’s passion for racing. Instead, he returned to his roots and dominated the sprint car circuit, a discipline he had honed for over 15 years. Larson’s impressive comeback in the face of adversity has made his story a compelling real-life plot for a potential sequel to “Days of Thunder.”
Kyle Larson erupts at teammate Chase Elliott at Iowa
The Iowa Corn 350 was a hectic race with numerous caution flags, ultimately allowing William Byron to claim the win. However, the event was very frustrating for his teammate, Kyle Larson, who finished in 28th place.
Larson, who had been running inside the top 10 during the final stage, faced several contacts during restarts, dropping him to 12th place. His frustration extended beyond rival drivers, as he also had difficult moments with his teammate, Chase Elliott.
These incidents led to an angry radio message from Larson. He expressed his frustration with strong language toward other drivers for not giving him enough space. “How much f—–g room do I have to leave people? … I’ve tried being a good teammate and a good competitor, and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere for the last f—–g hour,” he was heard saying on the radio. He also criticized Elliott for a lack of teamwork and the rest of the field for not racing respectfully during their battles.
This recent outburst definitely serves as an audition for the “bad guy” role that he initially refused on the podcast for himself to play. In fact, he said, “I feel like we at Hendrick Motorsports, we like to just like be, you know, I feel like we’re kind of like the Patriots.” He continued by making a swift comparison with himself for the ‘heel’ personality, “I feel like Yankees. Yeah. Like, there’s just like never any drama, you know? Like Well, yeah. It wouldn’t go that far with us,” he added with a laugh.
In many ways, Kyle Larson’s frustration was understandable. Known for his disciplined approach, he often races with a focus on self-preservation. However, with the regular season championship nearing its end in just three races, every driver, including Chase Elliott, will act aggressively to maximize their points. The chaotic final stage of the race demanded this level of intensity, and Larson, caught in the middle, unfortunately became an innocent bystander in the quest for crucial championship points.
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