The red carpet is ablaze, a dazzling fusion of Hollywood glitz and NASCAR grit, as Jeff Gordon, the racing icon with a megawatt smile, steps out alongside Tom Cruise at the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. It’s a night where the worlds of high-octane racing and blockbuster cinema collide, and the Los Angeles skyline seems to hum with the energy of it all. Fans are losing it, not just because Gordon’s looking sharper than a freshly polished race car, but because whispers of a Days of Thunder sequel are swirling, and this moment feels like the spark that could ignite it.

The Dolby Theater, decked out for the Mission: Impossible finale, is a fitting stage for this unexpected pairing. Gordon, the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, isn’t just here as a celebrity guest—he’s a force, radiating the same charisma that made him a fan favorite on the track. His history with Cruise dates back to 2015, when the Top Gun star introduced him at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards in Las Vegas.

Tom Cruise’s words then, calling Gordon “transcendent” for his transformative impact on NASCAR, left the room buzzing. Gordon, ever the humble guy, later said, “I felt like I was just one of maybe 10 drivers that were separating themselves from the rest of the field. That were doing things outside of just driving a race car to help grow the sport, and I felt like I played my role in that.” That night forged a bond, and now, a decade later, they’re stealing the show together.

Jeff Gordon walking among the stars

The premiere isn’t just about Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise’s character) latest mission. Gordon’s been fanning flames of excitement with talk of a Days of Thunder sequel, the 1990 film that turned stock car racing into a cinematic thrill ride. At the Daytona 500 earlier this year, he said, “I’ve absolutely talked to Tom about (a sequel) because I want him to do the project, and we want to be a part of it if it were to happen.”

The idea of revisiting Cole Trickle’s world, with Cruise’s intensity and Gordon’s racing expertise, has fans on edge. Gordon shared a memory of their first meeting at a NASCAR banquet. “I met Tom many years ago in the late 90s,” Gordon said. “And when he came to the banquet last December and introduced me […] I was very caught off guard and emotional.” That chemistry was palpable at the premiere, as they traded laughs and posed for photos, fueling dreams of a big-screen collaboration.

The Instagram post that broke the internet comes straight from Jeff Gordon’s account. It’s a crisp shot of him in a tailored navy suit, exuding cool confidence, along with his lovely wife, Ella Sofia, and a now-grown-up son, Leo Benjamin, with Cruise’s iconic grin lighting up the background. The caption is pure tease: “Thanks for rolling out the red carpet, @tomcruise!” It’s only a few words, but it’s enough to send fans into a tailspin. The comments section becomes a virtual racetrack of emotions, with fans pouring out love and begging for a Days of Thunder sequel. While no script is confirmed, the duo’s red-carpet synergy is undeniable, hinting at a project that could redefine NASCAR’s place in pop culture.

“We always have to battle Formula One,” NASCAR insider Kenny Wallace, a longtime friend and fellow driver, had earlier declared, “Formula One has got a movie. …They found Brad Pitt, and he made a good Formula One movie. I feel like right now, we’re in the business of whatever Formula One does, we need to do. Formula One goes global, we need to be global. Formula One’s got new automakers, we need to have new automakers.” Wallace’s excitement reflects the sentiment of fans who see this as more than a movie—it’s a chance to celebrate NASCAR’s legacy.

With Formula One making moves with a movie of their own, NASCAR’s Netflix show, Full Speed, simply won’t cut it. Wallace feels that a NASCAR movie is what would take the sport to the next level. With Amazon Prime working closely with the sport as the primary broadcast partner for the next five races, as well as making a documentary on Kyle Larson‘s ‘Double Duty’, could we potentially see NASCAR and Amazon Prime Video collaborate for a movie? Time will tell.

Now, let’s zoom in on the fans, because they’re the heartbeat of this night. The Instagram comments under Gordon’s post are a tidal wave of passion, each one a snapshot of why this moment matters.

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Fans are star-struck by Jeff Gordon

One fan’s plea, “PLEASE DAYS OF THUNDER SEQUEL,” is practically a primal scream. Days of Thunder wasn’t just a film; it was a love letter to NASCAR’s raw, unfiltered spirit, blending high-speed drama with romance and rivalry. This fan’s all-caps urgency, echoed across social media, shows how the movie still resonates. Motor Authority notes that the original’s cult status has fans desperate for a sequel, especially with Gordon’s real-world racing credibility to ground it in authenticity.

Another fan gushes, “Looking sharp, JG! You should star in the next Top Gun with Tom! W.” It’s a love note to Gordon’s red-carpet swagger, his navy suit and easy grin making him look like he was born for this world. The Top Gun reference isn’t random—Top Gun: Maverick proved Cruise can resurrect a classic with style, and fans see Gordon as the perfect partner for another high-stakes sequel. Gordon’s polished appearance, paired with his racing legacy, makes the idea of him on screen feel not just possible but inevitable.

“Is there anything Jeff Gordon doesn’t do?!” another fan exclaimed, and it’s hard to argue. At 53, Gordon’s career is a masterclass in versatility: champion driver, FOX Sports analyst, Hendrick Motorsports executive, and now a red-carpet star rubbing elbows with Cruise. Hendrick Motorsports details his journey, noting how he’s stayed a fan favorite through every chapter. This comment captures the awe of watching him seamlessly step into Hollywood’s spotlight, hinting at a Days of Thunder project that could be his next big win. It’s not just about his presence tonight—it’s about how he keeps pushing boundaries, just like he did on the track.

“Jeffy looks like the STAR!” one fan declared, and the sentiment hits home. Gordon’s charisma at the premiere, trading quips with Cruise and charming the crowd, screams big-screen potential. The 2015 NASCAR awards, where Cruise’s glowing introduction of Gordon had the audience on its feet: “He’s not just a driver; he’s a phenomenon.” That star quality is alive tonight, and this fan’s reaction proves it’s not just nostalgia—Gordon’s got the magnetism to carry a film. His ease with Cruise feels like a preview of what they could do together on screen.

Finally, a fan dares to dream: “Can we get a Jeff Gordon Movie with Leo playing a young Jeff??” It’s a wild, beautiful idea that speaks to Gordon’s larger-than-life story. From a kid racing sprint cars in California to a NASCAR icon with 93 Cup Series wins, his journey is pure cinema. The notion of his son playing as a young Gordon feels like a fan’s ultimate fantasy, blending NASCAR’s heart with Hollywood’s grandeur. It’s about Gordon’s legacy as a story worth telling, whether in a Days of Thunder sequel or a biopic of his own.

These fan reactions are more than comments—they’re a love letter to Gordon’s enduring impact and the electric possibility of him teaming up with Cruise. The Mission: Impossible premiere, with its red-carpet dazzle and sequel teases, has fans believing that a Days of Thunder comeback isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a project with wheels, ready to hit the track. When it does, they’ll be cheering from the theaters as loudly as they do from the grandstands, ready to see Gordon and Cruise race into history.