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Brad Keselowski Backs Tom Cruise to Revive NASCAR’s Lost Golden Days

Originally posted on RFKRacingDigest
By Sanskriti Pastor | Last updated Apr 8, 2026 5:08 PM ET

As NASCAR looks to regain mainstream attention, many within the sport are turning to Hollywood, with a Days of Thunder sequel seen as a potential boost to its cultural relevance.

The 1990s film Days of Thunder remains iconic for NASCAR fans, and for Brad Keselowski, it was more than just entertainment.

“I loved the original Days of Thunder. It was my racing movie as a kid. I was five or six when it came out,” Keselowski shared in an interview with SpeedFreaks. He also spoke about how the film’s imagination left a lasting impression on him when he first watched it.

“I remember loving the Mello Yello car. I remember being confused about Kyle Petty driving the Mello Yello car at that age; that was kind of confusing to me.”

Brad @Keselowski believes @TomCruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and @ParamountPics have the power to make #NASCAR go mainstream again.

Hear the latest on the “Days of Thunder” sequel and comments from more drivers on its potential impact in my story for @SpeedFreaks … pic.twitter.com/0elPbu8PVI
— Cole Cusumano (@Cole_Cusumano_) April 7, 2026

Beyond the nostalgia factor, Brad Keselowski also drew attention to the way Hollywood influences how NASCAR is perceived globally.

He made the point that how the sport is shown in films plays a major role in how far it can reach, adding that the original Days of Thunder helped push NASCAR into the spotlight.

He also said Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer could bring that kind of attention back again, similar to what happened during NASCAR’s peak after the Top Gun franchise returned.

Keselowski expressed his full support, stating he believes the creative team of Paramount, Bruckheimer, and Cruise would create a positive project for the sport.

Kyle Busch Reveals Progress on the Days of Thunder Sequel

As discussions around a Days of Thunder sequel continue, another NASCAR star, Kyle Busch, revealed that he has already been involved in early conversations about the project.

“I’ve had a chance to speak with a writer a couple of times about some of the ideas. It’s been pretty fun and interesting hearing what the concept may or may not be. We’re certainly looking forward to it and seeing it come to fruition,” Busch said.

Screenwriter Will Staples is reportedly working on the story and has been seen traveling across the NASCAR circuit early in the 2026 season to gather authentic insights for the script.

This article first appeared on RFKRacingDigest and was syndicated with permission.

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