Brexton Busch Met Days of Thunder Star in Las Vegas

Young driver Brexton Busch crossed paths with Michael Rooker, star of the 1990 classic, in Las Vegas.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Action/Adventure

Graphic illustration of a racing helmet on a checkered pattern, using a high-contrast palette to evoke the aesthetic of a classic racing film.
Actor Michael Rooker and driver Brexton Busch met in Las Vegas as Paramount Pictures moves forward with a sequel to the 1990 film Days of Thunder. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Brexton Busch recently met actor Michael Rooker in Las Vegas. Rooker is best known for his role as Rowdy Burns in the 1990 film Days of Thunder, which is currently preparing for a sequel.

Why it matters

The encounter arrives as Paramount Pictures prepares to revive the iconic racing franchise. A sequel to the original film is officially scheduled to debut in theaters on June 2, 2028.

The original film earned over $157 million worldwide and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound. Paramount Pictures plans to film the upcoming sequel specifically for IMAX screens.

The players

Brexton Busch

He is a rising race car driver and the son of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch.

Michael Rooker

He is an actor who played Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder and served as grand marshal for the 2023 Pala Casino 400.

Paramount Pictures

This major film studio is responsible for the production and distribution of the Days of Thunder franchise.

The details

Brexton Busch posed for a photo with Michael Rooker during their meeting in Las Vegas. The production of the sequel is expected to begin in 2027.

Timeline

  1. 1990: Original Days of Thunder film released.

  2. 2023: Michael Rooker served as grand marshal at Fontana.

  3. October 2, 2026: Brexton Busch met Michael Rooker in Las Vegas.

  4. 2027: Filming for the movie sequel expected to begin.

  5. June 2, 2028: Release date for Days of Thunder 2.

Industry Dynamics

The return of the Days of Thunder franchise highlights the ongoing Hollywood trend of reviving intellectual property decades after the original release. This project positions the studio to capitalize on legacy fan bases while utilizing modern IMAX technology to update the racing genre.

Fans can anticipate the sequel to arrive in theaters on June 2, 2028, with plans for specialized IMAX screenings. The release schedule provides viewers with a long-term window to prepare for the return of the racing franchise.

The takeaway

The intersection of modern racing talent and classic film stars reflects the deep-rooted cultural ties between motorsports and Hollywood entertainment. Fans should watch for production updates throughout 2027 as the studio prepares the sequel for its global release.

What happens next

Paramount Pictures is slated to begin filming for the Days of Thunder sequel in 2027, with the official theatrical release following on June 2, 2028.

Further reading

Explore more cinematic updates in the Action/Adventure section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.

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Do you generally look forward to watching movie sequels released decades after the original?