Hollywood legend Tom Cruise paid an emotional tribute to NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, who passed away in May this year after battling a severe case of bacterial pneumonia that led to sepsis.
Cruise paid homage to Busch during the announcement of the sequel to his 1990 film ‘Days of Thunder’ at a drivers’ meeting before Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Cruise is bringing the on-track thrill of the film to the big screen once again. He starred as racing driver Cole Trickle in the original and is set to reprise the role in the sequel, which is scheduled to be released in 2028.
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Tom Cruise’s emotional gesture for Kyle Busch
During the drivers’ meeting, Cruise was offered a seat beside an empty chair with Busch’s name on it. As the Mission Impossible star noticed the chair, he patted it, acknowledging the loss felt by the NASCAR community following Busch’s passing.
Cruise then addressed the drivers and others present at the meeting, explaining that the sequel to ‘Days of Thunder’ will focus on more than just the thrill of NASCAR racing.
He wants the film to offer an authentic portrayal of NASCAR as a community and culture.
“It’s not just about racing,” Cruise said. “It’s about the community and the people here. There’s something very special about racers and the whole community. It’s a culture, and I was very proud to be able to reflect that in the first ‘Days of Thunder,’ and I am honored to share it with the world. …
“That’s basically what we’re going to really go for with this one. Give the audience that opportunity to understand what it is as a team, as a community, what it is for NASCAR, and the speed, the excitement and all that danger and stuff.”
Tom Cruise’s gesture won the hearts of NASCAR fans, while his speech about what he wants the film to be has also built intrigue among both motorsports and Cruise fans.
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