DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Brad Keselowski 6 RFK Racing Castrol Ford is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602110359500
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Brad Keselowski 6 RFK Racing Castrol Ford is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602110359500
Feb 18, 2026, 12:43 PM CUT
“RIP”: Brad Keselowski Honors NASCAR Cult Classic Legend’s Passing
The NASCAR world is mourning a Hollywood legend. Actor Robert Duvall, known for his iconic role in 'Days of Thunder,' has passed away at 95. The loss prompted tributes from the racing community, including veteran driver Brad Keselowski.
To NASCAR fans, Robert Duvall was famously known for his role as the iconic crew chief Harry Hogge. In the final scene of the movie, Duvall eventually leads Cole Trickle to a Daytona 500 victory.
Unfortunately, Duvall passed away on the race day of the 2026 Daytona 500. His wife, Luciana, confirmed he passed away peacefully at home:
“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time... To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, and a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything.”
The loss was equally devastating for Brad Keselowski, a long time fan of the movie. On X, replying to a video clip of a scene from ‘Days of Thunder,' captioned as “arguably one of the best Duvall moments,” veteran driver Brad Keselowski expressed his condolences and wrote, “RIP Harry!”
With a career that spanned more than six decades, Robert Duvall left not only racing fans but also Hollywood in grief.
'Days of Thunder' was not Duvall's only phenomenal work
Robert Duvall already had a well-established career in Hollywood before his most loved fictional crew chief role.
He won the Best Actor Oscar in 1984 for Tender Mercies and received a total of 7 nominations.
Some of his iconic performances include 'The Godfather,' 'The Godfather Part II,' 'Apocalypse Now,' 'Lonesome Dove,' and 'The Apostle.'
“To get a result that’s legitimate, let the process take you to the result,” he said in a 2016 interview, via The Hollywood Reporter. “Be willing to start from zero and say, ‘Let’s see what happens.’”
Robert Duvall had one of the most respected and successful careers in Hollywood and left a legacy behind to remember him forever.
Robert Duvall will live on in the minds of fans. Our thoughts are with his family.
Written by
Kaamna Dwivedi
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar