NORTH WILKESBORO, NC - JULY 19: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet waves to the fans prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Window World 450 on July 19, 2026 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 19 NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26071930282450
NORTH WILKESBORO, NC - JULY 19: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet waves to the fans prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Window World 450 on July 19, 2026 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 19 NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26071930282450
Jul 26, 2026, 9:45 PM CUT
'I'd like to wreck Cole Trickle': Carson Hocevar has a humble request for Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder 2
Speculation around a sequel to Days of Thunder continues to increase, and that hasn’t stopped NASCAR drivers from coming up with their own theories for the film. We’re looking at you, Carson Hocevar.
Speaking to Steven Taranto ahead of the Brickyard 400, the No.77 Spire driver was asked what role he would like to play if he landed a cameo in the sequel. His answer was something that best fits his aggressive driving style out on the track.
"I'd like to wreck Cole Trickle at some point in a cameo, if I can get a cameo. Maybe that'll get written in at some point so it's a little bit realistic."
DAYS OF THUNDER, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, 1990 Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xParamount/CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MSDDAOF EC017
DAYS OF THUNDER, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, 1990 Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xParamount/CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MSDDAOF EC017
Taranto then asked a follow-up question about which of the three characters would match his personality, among the trio of Cole Trickle, Rowdy Burns, and Russ Wheeler. Hocevar admitted he sees a lot of himself in Cole Trickle, referencing his maiden Cup win at Talladega this year.
Recent reports from multiple publications suggested that Paramount had roped in Jonathan Levine to direct the sequel, while Tom Cruise appears set to reprise his role.
The original 1990 movie featured characters based on real-life NASCAR figures. Tom Cruise’s character, Cole Trickle, is based on Tim Richmond, who drove the No.46 Chevrolet, and later the No.51 Mello Yello Chevrolet. Cole’s No.46 car is sponsored by City Chevrolet, a real-life car dealership owned by Rick Hendrick.
Joey Logano feels Days of Thunder sequel is a huge boost for NASCAR
While Carson Hocevar joked about wanting to wreck Cole Trickle, three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano focused on what a Days of Thunder sequel could mean for NASCAR as a whole.
Speaking to Steven Taranto, Logano called the original film the greatest racing movie ever made and revealed that it remains a favorite in his household and that his children still enjoy watching the Tom Cruise classic alongside him.
Looking ahead to the proposed sequel, Logano believes it could generate significant momentum for NASCAR because of Cruise's global popularity.
"It's huge for our sport to see that could possibly come back. The momentum that our sport's going to ride off of something that big—it's a huge project, obviously, with a superstar, Tom Cruise. If that all happens, I mean, fantastic."
Which NASCAR driver do you want to see in the sequel? Comment your suggestions!
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Written by
Aaradhya Singh
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason