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Kyle Busch said he has spoken with a writer researching ideas for a possible Days of Thunder sequel.
Momentum around a possible sequel to the racing classic “Days of Thunder” may be building inside the NASCAR garage.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch confirmed this weekend that he has spoken with a film writer who is researching ideas tied to a potential follow-up to the iconic 1990 movie.
The conversation came as speculation continues to grow about whether Hollywood could eventually revisit the story that introduced many fans to the world of stock car racing.
During a press conference at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Busch acknowledged that he has been among the people connected to discussions surrounding a possible sequel.
“I don’t know how much NASCAR’s involvement is, if they’re the ones calling for it or not,” Busch said. “But obviously I think it would be something cool. It would be special. You’ve got to be careful with it, right? Because the first one was so good, you don’t want to screw up the second one.”
Busch added that conversations with the writer have largely focused on sharing ideas and perspectives from inside the sport.
“But no, it’s awesome. I’ve had a chance to speak with the writer a couple times about some of the ideas and what not, so that’s been pretty fun and interesting to see what concept may be or may not be. But yeah, we’re certainly looking forward to it and seeing it come to fruition.”
The reporting about a Hollywood writer attending NASCAR races and speaking with drivers was first noted by Sports Business Journal.
Christopher Bell Thinks a Sequel Could Help NASCAR
Another driver who weighed in on the topic was Christopher Bell, who believes a modern racing film could be beneficial for the sport’s visibility.
Bell said the original “Days of Thunder” helped shape how many fans viewed NASCAR during the 1990s and suggested a sequel could have a similar impact today.
“Yeah, it would be really cool,” Bell said. “I think anytime you get more exposure for our sport and just getting more eyes on it would be huge.”
Bell also noted that while the comedy Talladega Nights became a cultural hit, the tone of Days of Thunder brought a different kind of attention to NASCAR.
“One thing I appreciate about ‘Days of Thunder’ was it was taken a little bit more serious,” Bell said. “As a kid growing up, I loved Talladega Nights, and I thought it was hilarious. But then the older I got, and the more into the sport I got, I realized that the general public kind of took that as reality and not the comedy that it was.”
Bell added that a modern film that highlights the true intensity of NASCAR competition could help showcase how impressive the sport really is.
“I think if you could get more serious footage of it and showing how amazing our sport is, is a great thing.”
Why ‘Days of Thunder’ Still Resonates With NASCAR Fans
Released in 1990, “Days of Thunder” starred Tom Cruise as fictional NASCAR driver Cole Trickle and quickly became one of the most recognizable motorsports films ever made.
The movie blended Hollywood storytelling with real NASCAR culture, featuring appearances from legendary driver Richard Petty and scenes filmed at actual race tracks.
More than three decades later, the film still holds a special place among racing fans and remains closely associated with NASCAR’s rise in popularity during the 1990s.
Interest in a sequel has surfaced periodically over the years. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Cruise have both acknowledged discussions about revisiting the story if the right concept emerged.
The recent reports that a screenwriter has been attending NASCAR events and speaking with drivers suggest that early groundwork for such a project could already be underway.
If a sequel ultimately moves forward, the modern version of NASCAR would provide a dramatically different backdrop than the sport fans saw when “Days of Thunder” first hit theaters.
Maggie MacKenzie Maggie MacKenzie covers NASCAR for Heavy.com. She previously worked for NASCAR.com, where she reported, wrote, and edited race-weekend coverage and traveled to key events throughout the season. She has more than ten years of experience in sports media and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. More about Maggie MacKenzie
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