What Hilarious Incident Did Cary Elwes Experience with Tom Cruise on 'Days of Thunder'?

Cary Elwes recently shared a humorous anecdote about his experience with Tom Cruise on the set of 'Days of Thunder.' He recounted a memorable incident where Cruise crashed his car on the first day of filming, showcasing both the challenges of racing scenes and the camaraderie between the actors. Elwes praised Cruise for his professionalism and support, while also reflecting on his own learning curve in driving NASCAR vehicles. Their shared experiences have left a lasting impression on Elwes, who continues to regard Cruise as a remarkable colleague.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2026, 15:02 IST

Cary Elwes Remembers His Time with Tom Cruise

In a recent chat with Entertainment Tonight, veteran actor Cary Elwes reminisced about his time working with Tom Cruise on the 1990 film "Days of Thunder." He shared a funny story about Cruise's first day on set, which took an unexpected turn when Cruise, portraying a race car driver, crashed his vehicle into a wall, leaving a memorable impression on Elwes.

Elwes humorously recalled Cruise's last words before the incident: "Hello, wall." He pointed out the significance of this mishap, saying, "Tom actually put a car into the wall on his first day of driving. And those cars are not inexpensive." Despite the crash, Elwes had high praise for Cruise, calling him a "terrific guy" who was enjoyable to work with and very professional, always supporting the cast and crew.

While Cruise was well-versed in handling fast cars, Elwes faced a significant challenge as he was new to driving NASCAR vehicles. The 63-year-old actor admitted that learning to drive these cars was tough, especially with three cameras capturing the action. He noted, "I had to learn how to drive NASCAR, and it was a challenge, because we had three cameras on the car." The added pressure of performing at speeds of 120 km/h made the task even more daunting.

The storyline of "Days of Thunder" follows Cole Trickle, a young and talented yet reckless race car driver. As he enters the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, his arrogance leads to conflicts with his crew and chief, culminating in a near-fatal crash. After recovering, he forms a romantic bond with his doctor and returns to the racing scene to confront a new, arrogant rival.

Elwes' reflections on his experiences with Cruise not only underscore the challenges of filming high-speed racing scenes but also highlight the camaraderie that developed between the two actors. Their shared moments on set have left a lasting impact on Elwes, who continues to view Cruise as an exceptional colleague in the film industry.