Feb
16

Cruise-in In Daytona

Daytona Beach, FL (AHN) – The Daytona 500 annually brings its share of celebrities to town and this Sunday will be no different as film star Tom Cruise will be here to drive the Chevrolet Camaro pace car at the start of the race.

Cruise played NASCAR driver Cole Trickle 19 years ago in the movie “Days of Thunder,’ a portion of which was filmed here at Daytona International Speedway.

“It all came together pretty quickly,” said Speedway president Robin Braig. “We’re not really sure how it happened, but we’re pleased that Rick Hendrick got involved, and that Chevy and NASCAR agreed to let him drive the pace car.” (…)

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, who 19 years ago supplied the race cars used in the film, had Cruise as a guest in December in New York City at the annual NASCAR awards banquet.

Hendrick will ship two of his “Days of Thunder” cars to Daytona, which will be on display during Sunday’s pre-race hours.

In recent years, the Daytona 500 pace car has been driven by baseball half-of-famer Cal Ripken Jr., talk-show host Jay Leno, and racing legend Junior Johnson.

(Source: All headlines)

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February 16, 2009   //   General   //   2 Comments   //  

2 Comments to “Cruise-in In Daytona”

• February 16, 2009 at 11:06 am
  melissa says:

  Valkyrie was panned by critics?? What the hell are they talking about?? The reviews were incredible!!!
• March 03, 2009 at 10:14 pm
  Russ Shaw says:

  My wife had the chance to meet tom at daytona in feb. it was her wish to get me there to see the 500 for helping her through her very tough struggle for 29 years with lupus. Tom took the time to talk to my wife alyce ,took a picture togeter and told her she was a good person for getting tickets for her husband (me)and very thoughtful of her, trying 2 times to get by the body guard with her persistance she got to him, he took the camera while sighning other people ticket stubs.I want to tell you tom, you made her day, alyce passed away the day after we got home to ct. thank you tom for your kindness to my late wife. i will never forget what you did 4 her. sincerly, Russell Shaw, 06379