On May 15, 2025, Chase Elliott stunned both NASCAR fans and moviegoers alike by teaming up with Tom Cruise to promote Paramount Pictures’ latest blockbuster,
The dynamic collaboration took place in Los Angeles, combining the high-stakes world of stock car racing with the electrifying pulse of Hollywood. For both Elliott and Cruise, the project marks a thrilling cross-industry fusion, arriving just days before the film’s much-anticipated theatrical release on May 23. The partnership is sparking widespread excitement—and even rumors of a potential “Days of Thunder” sequel, captivating audiences with the prospect of seeing one of NASCAR’s brightest stars and an action legend unite on screen and off.
Chase Elliott boasts a celebrated career, highlighted by his 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and 19 career wins, an impressive resume that extends beyond the racetrack as he consistently connects with fans through genuine engagement and a relatable public persona. His decision to work alongside Tom Cruise, a Hollywood icon renowned for daring stunts and unwavering intensity, transcends routine promotional duties. Instead, it offers a bridge between elite motorsport action and blockbuster cinema, fueled in part by NASCAR’s new Driver’s Incentive Program launched for the 2025 season. This bold initiative encourages drivers to serve as ambassadors for the sport through podcasts, TV appearances, and high-profile promotional events—sometimes with $1 million incentives at stake.
The announcement carries added weight because Chase Elliott has generally shied away from promotional ventures. Notably, he previously declined participation in season two of “NASCAR: Full Speed,” Netflix’s insider series on the Cup Series, preferring to focus on racing and connecting with fans on his own terms. However, this new initiative appears to have prompted a shift in his approach, opening doors to major collaborations and bringing him into the Hollywood spotlight alongside Cruise.
Chase Elliott energized fans by sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), featuring himself in a relaxed outfit—gray t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers—standing grinning next to a towering
poster. With vivid excitement, he wrote,
The post quickly trended across motorsports and entertainment circles, showing Elliott as more than just a racing champion, but also an enthusiastic cinema fan ready to bring two passionate worlds together.
According to reports from Reuters,
carries a staggering $400 million budget, making it one of the costliest projects in the franchise’s history. The grand finale of Ethan Hunt’s story—again directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who’s steered the franchise through some of its boldest moments—has already drawn worldwide attention. Fans were offered a taste of the sheer spectacle through reports detailing a 20-minute car chase and a famed plane stunt, which Tom Cruise performed himself, even convincing McQuarrie to experience it firsthand to grasp its peril and adrenaline. Shot across global cities like Tokyo and lavish locales such as Cannes, the film both premiered and wowed audiences at the 78th Cannes Film Festival just a day prior to Elliott’s announcement.
The film‘s design, modeled for IMAX screens, promises moviegoers an experience as intense and immersive as witnessing a NASCAR race in person. Such ambition mirrors Elliott’s own on-track performances—each moment made for maximum audience engagement, each lap a new thrill. This alignment of spirit is precisely what makes Elliott a fitting figurehead for the race-to-theaters campaign, invigorating NASCAR’s fanbase and attracting fresh eyes to both the sport and the movie, just as the driver’s incentive initiative intended.
With this unexpected partnership on display, speculation has quickly mounted around an even bolder possibility—a “Days of Thunder” sequel starring Chase Elliott. The 1990 original film, with Cruise as the brash Cole Trickle, became a cult sensation among NASCAR and film fans alike, celebrated for its authentic racing spirit and appearances by real-life legends such as Richard Petty and Rusty Wallace. The story was partially inspired by actual racing heroics and even drew creative influence from Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, where Elliott now races. This shared lineage has led to feverish discussions about reprising the film for a new era.
Jeff Gordon, vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports and long-time mentor to Chase Elliott, addressed the growing excitement in a conversation with NASCAR.com:
Gordon’s words provided fresh evidence that days of speculation may soon turn into real development. Paramount Pictures is reportedly exploring the early stages of a new installment, eager to blend the visceral realism of Cruise’s stunts with the energy of the sport’s latest stars.
For Chase Elliott, the notion of contributing to a “Days of Thunder” sequel is particularly personal. Growing up watching the film, forged in the same racing organization instrumental to the movie’s first creation, and now emerging as one of NASCAR’s most influential personalities, Elliott is uniquely positioned to bridge the past and future of stock car racing. He has never hidden his respect for the sport’s legacy, embracing mentorship from Jeff Gordon and others while forging his own path with humility and determination. To participate in a project that honors NASCAR’s history, alongside both Gordon and Cruise, is to bring his journey full circle.
Rumors of an Elliott cameo, or even a starring role, in a “Days of Thunder” sequel have electrified the NASCAR community. Fans see his involvement as a bridge to a modern audience—introducing the heart-pounding drama of racing to new generations and bringing authenticity to any Hollywood racing narrative. Social media speculation exploded after his recent Mission Impossible post with Tom Cruise, with many expressing hopes that Elliott’s growing off-track presence signals further collaborations and deepening ties to the movie industry.
commented one NASCAR fan under his viral X post, capturing the enthusiasm rippling through the fanbase.
The impact of this promotional partnership stretches beyond individual star power. By blending NASCAR’s high-octane culture with the globally recognized Mission Impossible franchise, Chase Elliott’s involvement amplifies both racing and cinema, sparking conversations about crossover projects and expanding audiences for both. The financial stakes are sky-high—not simply for the $400 million film, but also for NASCAR, eager to leverage this exposure into heightened interest, ticket sales, and broader mainstream appeal. With the sport’s leadership actively encouraging and rewarding its stars to be visible ambassadors, Elliott’s embrace of this moment demonstrates a willingness to evolve and innovate in anticipation of new opportunities.
Looking ahead, many predict that Elliott’s promotional efforts with Cruise may set a new precedent for NASCAR stars, inspiring others to take on ambassadorial roles that raise the sport’s profile beyond its traditional core.
said a media analyst close to the industry.
As May 23 draws near and Mission Impossible fans wait for the curtain to rise, the buzz shows no signs of slowing down—especially with a Days of Thunder sequel potentially in the works. Momentum from these collaborations could open doors not only for Elliott but for the broader NASCAR community, cementing the sport’s relevance among new fans and pushing it further into global pop culture. In many ways, this intersection of racing legend and movie magic holds the power to redefine what it means to be a star, both on the track and beyond.
Ultimately, Chase Elliott’s decision to partner with Tom Cruise for the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning promotion signals more than just a calculated career move. It embodies a shared spirit of risk-taking, perseverance, and showmanship—qualities admired by fans of both motorsport and action cinema. Whether this collaboration leads directly to a Days of Thunder revival, it certainly expands the possibilities for cross-industry creativity, opening thrilling new chapters for both Elliott and the ever-evolving world of NASCAR entertainment.
