Racing to the Finish Line: Will Days of Thunder 2 or F1 Sequel Rev Up Hollywood First?

In the high-stakes world of motorsport cinema, where engines roar louder than applause and plot twists hit harder than a last-lap pass, two sequels are circling the track like hungry wolves. On one side, Tom Cruise’s Cole Trickle is itching to strap back into a NASCAR stock car for Days of Thunder 2, a project that’s been idling in development hell for decades. On the other, Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes is gearing up for round two in the Formula 1 sequel, fresh off the blockbuster success of the 2025 original.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

But which adrenaline-fueled follow-up will cross the checkered flag into theaters first? A recent piece from The Drive posed this very question, highlighting how both films—produced by the same powerhouse, Jerry Bruckheimer—are accelerating toward production but remain tantalizingly vague on timelines. As of early 2026, the race is neck-and-neck, with fan speculation running hotter than a blown tire.

To rev this story up, let’s break down the contenders, their histories, and the latest pit-stop updates from Hollywood insiders.

The Underdog Comeback: Days of Thunder 2 and Cruise’s NASCAR Obsession

It’s hard to believe, but Days of Thunder—the 1990 Tony Scott-directed fever dream of stock car racing, Southern drawls, and Robert Duvall yelling “It’s the car, not the driver!”—turns 36 this year. Starring a fresh-faced Tom Cruise as hotshot driver Cole Trickle, the film captured the raw intensity of NASCAR with real races, real drivers like Richard Petty and Russ Wheeler cameos, and a soundtrack that still blasts “Show Me the Way” on loop for ’90s kids. Critically panned at the time (it holds a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes), it grossed $157 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, proving audiences craved that speed-rush escapism.

Fast-forward to 2024, and whispers of a sequel began when reports surfaced of Cruise in “final talks” to star and produce, with Bruckheimer attached once more. By May 2025, Cruise himself confirmed during a press junket that he and his team were “working on” ideas for the project, lumping it in with Top Gun 3 as part of his post-Maverick victory lap. “It took me 35 years to figure out Top Gun: Maverick, so all of these things we’re working on, we’re discussing Days of Thunder and Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise teased, hinting at a thematic crossover where Maverick’s aerial dogfights might inspire Trickle’s oval-track battles.

The buzz peaked in June 2025 when Bruckheimer confirmed development was underway, with Cruise “onboard” and NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon potentially consulting to amp up the authenticity. Rumors swirled of production kicking off in early 2026, eyeing a summer 2027 release to align with NASCAR’s playoff fever. But as of February 2026, updates have cooled: Cruise met with execs in November 2025, yet no greenlight or script lock-in has been announced. Bruckheimer’s latest chat just days ago reiterated that ideas are percolating alongside Top Gun 3 and a Pirates of the Caribbean revival, but timelines remain “fluid.”

For fans, the appeal is clear: a grizzled Cruise, now 63, mentoring a new generation of drivers in a sport that’s evolved from moonshine runners to tech-heavy behemoths. Imagine drone shots of Daytona crashes intercut with Cruise’s signature grin—it’s Top Gun on four wheels.

The Grid Leader: F1’s Sequel Accelerates After Box-Office Glory

If Days of Thunder is the scrappy undercard, F1 (stylized as F1: The Movie) is the pole-position favorite. Released in summer 2025, Joseph Kosinski’s (Top Gun: Maverick) slick drama cast Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a washed-up F1 vet mentoring a hot-headed prodigy (Damson Idris) for a fictional APXGP team. Backed by Apple Studios and filmed during real Grands Prix with Lewis Hamilton as a producer-consultant, it blended IMAX spectacle with insider drama—think Rush meets Ford v Ferrari, but glossier.

The payoff? A roaring $633.1 million worldwide haul against a $200–300 million budget, making it 2025’s ninth-highest grosser and the top original film of the year. It dominated international markets, pulling $443.6 million overseas, and earned Oscar buzz for its sound design and Pitt’s grizzled charisma. Critics praised its authenticity—Hamilton’s fingerprints ensured no rookie errors like confusing downforce with spoilers.

Sequel news hit like a red-flag restart: Just days ago, Bruckheimer confirmed to BBC and People that a follow-up is “officially in the works,” with Pitt returning and talks underway with Hamilton for a bigger on-screen role. “The story is really good,” Bruckheimer enthused, teasing deeper dives into team dynamics and global circuits. However, he tempered expectations: Plans “aren’t advanced just yet,” with no filming schedule or 2027 release locked. Kosinski is eyed to direct again, capitalizing on F1’s real-world tie-ins, like product placement from IWC watches and Shark Ninja sponsors.

The sequel’s edge? Momentum from the original’s success and F1’s surging U.S. popularity (hello, Netflix’s Drive to Survive). Expect more Hamilton flair—perhaps a cameo as a rival team boss—and pit-lane drama amplified for the streaming era.

Head-to-Head: Shared Producer, Divergent Paths

What makes this duel delicious? Both films share Bruckheimer’s Midas touch—he produced the originals and is steering these sequels like a master crew chief. Yet their trajectories diverge: Days of Thunder 2 has nostalgia-fueled longevity (talks since 2024) but Cruise’s packed slate (Mission: Impossible marathons, that Alejandro G. Iñárritu drama in October 2026) could delay it. F1’s sequel, born from a smash hit, benefits from Apple’s deep pockets and F1’s promotional machine, but its “not advanced” status suggests scripting hurdles.

Speculation? F1 edges ahead for a 2028 bow, thanks to its fresher IP and easier access to real tracks. But if Cruise channels his Maverick magic, Days could surprise like an underdog at Talladega.

The Checkered Flag Awaits

Motorsport movies thrive on uncertainty—the thrill of the unknown lap. Whether it’s Trickle’s V8 thunder or Hayes’ hybrid whine echoing through theaters first, these sequels promise to reignite the silver-screen speed rush. As Bruckheimer juggles his empire, one thing’s certain: Hollywood’s racing revival is just hitting stride. Buckle up, gearheads— the green flag drops soon.

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