NASCAR: 14 Racing Movies To Get You Through The Off-Season

Days of Thunder

The 1990 smash hit Days of Thunder starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman came along as NASCAR was growing in popularity throughout the country. Tony Scott brought his filmmaking style to speedway and made a racing film for the masses. Robert Duval, John C. Riley and Randy Quaid fit their parts perfectly as the crew for Cole Trickle. Some of the scenes were based on real stories adding an authentic element to the movie. The late Senator Fred Thompson plays a perfect head of NASCAR. Cameos by Neil Bonnett, Rusty Wallace and Harry Gant help make this a must see for any race fans.

Rush

When famed director Ron Howard said he was going to make a film about the Niki Lauda James Hunt feud in Formula 1 we knew a great movie would be made. What is surprising was how great a film it turned out to be. The racing scenes are fantastic, the cars, outfits, scenery and locations are all perfect. The Casting Thor star Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt will make this movie palatable to most women, and Daniel Bruhl is spot on as Lauda. Other than Olivia Wilde the cast is mostly unknown but perfectly chosen. Even though it underperformed at the box office, this movie was widely acclaimed by critics and viewers alike.

Grand Prix

Formula 1 seems to be the home for the great racing drama. This James Garner feature has amazing racing scenes for 1966. A great story about an American racer trying to make it in Formula 1, along with the relationships of the women they love in that era where tragedy struck often. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and winner of three Oscars, this movie is with your time.

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