NEWSTom Cruise Makes Surprise NASCAR Appearance at Daytona Following 'Days of Thunder' Sequel News: Photos
Tom Cruise appeared at Daytona ahead of Ryan Preece’s dramatic NASCAR victory.
Aug. 31 2026, Published 1:37 p.m. ET
Tom Cruise is back at the track!
The actor turned up at Daytona International Speedway after confirming his return to Days of Thunder.
The Hollywood star’s appearance came just hours before Ryan Preece pulled off a career-defining victory.
“I’m just speechless right now,” Preece said after winning NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, August 29.
Tom Cruise turned up at Daytona International Speedway after confirming his return to 'Days of Thunder.'
The RFK Racing driver’s victory gave him his first points-paying Cup Series win and secured the final spot in the Chase.
“Those guys, that 60 group, we’re fighters,” Preece admitted. “When you put our back against the wall, we swing hard.”
The Daytona visit arrived shortly after Cruise revealed that a follow-up to his 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder is officially in development. Paramount Pictures has scheduled the sequel for a June 2, 2028, theatrical release.
'Days of Thunder' Will Bring Cole Trickle Back
Reports revealed Tom Cruise is returning to 'Days of Thunder' nearly 40 years later with Anne Hathaway by his side.
Cruise is set to reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, nearly four decades after the original Tony Scott-directed movie reached theaters.
In the first film, Cole joined a new team after being recruited by a retired racing figure played by Robert Duvall.
Anne Hathaway will star in the planned sequel as a race team owner and engineer. The project is expected to begin filming after the actress welcomes her baby, per Variety.
The new film will also reunite Cruise with major names behind the camera. Jonathan Levine, whose credits include Long Shot and Mr. Irrelevant, will direct the sequel, while Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper will produce alongside Cruise.
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Tom Cruise Met Drivers and Fans at Daytona
Tom Cruise mingled with NASCAR drivers and fans at Daytona before announcing the 'Days of Thunder' sequel.
The Top Gun star spent time around the NASCAR garage and fan areas before the green flag.
Cruise was photographed talking with drivers, greeting spectators, posing for pictures and standing for the National Anthem.
His Daytona outing, however, was not a solo trip. Bruckheimer, Levine, Harper and screenwriter Will Staples also joined the 64-year-old actor.
Paramount plans to shoot Days of Thunder for IMAX, with an exclusive theatrical release set to include IMAX, Dolby Cinema and 4DX presentations.
The studio also shared a promotional image of Cruise and Hathaway at a NASCAR track to announce her casting.
The Sequel Follows Major Franchise Changes
Tom Cruise is entering a new phase of his career with multiple high-profile projects ahead.
The NASCAR follow-up represents one of Cruise’s first major franchise commitments after scaling back from the Mission: Impossible series.
He is also attached to another Top Gun movie and has Alejandro González Iñárritu’s drama Digger on his upcoming slate.
