Days of Thunder (1990)

Hell yeah

Will See

Used to ride the Thunderoad all the time. Forwards and backwards. My bestfriend’s dad used to get free tickets because he worked at the Coca Cola plant.

Bubbameister33

Good job Kevin. 'Five Stars'

Chabnormal

Willie T. Ribbs!

Moira's Machine

Yes, and it was my favorite ride there until they built the top gun coaster

AFistfulofGwildors

Best part of the ep? When Gabrus keeps quietly laughing the first few times Rodgers says "Hairy Hog"

Nathaniel

Damn Stanger's impression is really good!

Bring me the Head of Warren Oates

By the time I made it to Carowinds the theme had been updated to "Stan Lee's [Some garbage superhero webcomic that Stan Lee's name had been affixed to, pre-elder abuse]". But the ride itself was surprisingly fun!

Nick C.

Rogers, you ever go carting? Pretty fun.

Hammerthrust Von Sexron

Anybody else ride one of the Days of Thunder motion simulator rides at a Paramount owned theme park in the 90's? I have fond memories of watching Richard Petty in the pre-ride video and the fellow 15 year old ride attendants blasting the Bosstones' "The Impression That I Get" over the speakers during loading and unloading.

Bryan Wilson

It's sad that I commented once let alone twice, but for clarification -- I understand Rodgers' point about there not being intragenerational disparities in access to the same content. We all could have watched the same shit on TNT, but for some reason 15 year olds mostly thought stuff like DoT was good (it is) whereas 9 year olds mostly thought it was lame adult shit.

Finn

Similar age and experience. Star Wars, Top Gun, DoT, Rockys, Rambos, Terminators... they were all considered "vintage" in a deeply uncool way when I was a kid. Power Rangers, Star Trek, the Mission Impossible franchise, etc. experienced some following but it seemed fickle and short lived. Was in middle school during what felt like the advent of appointment internet culture and it was way cooler to talk about Homestar Runner, Toothpaste for Dinner, shock sites like Goregasm, et al than "traditional" media. FWIW I'm a cis woman and my take may be very different than dudes of my age.

Finn

That is ridiculous. A movie making you cry doesn’t make it better than DoT. My dad used to make us cry. Does that make him better than DoT? No fucking way!

Don Knott Steiner

I was the guy at the party calling Gabrus “Johnny.” And yes it’s because of a power dynamic thing.

Brian Ferrara

Stang mentioned meeting Robert Towne but stopped short of getting into I guess to not derail the ep, that'd be a sweet wolf punt

Jon Smith

Back in the 90s the amusement park near us, Kings Island, got bought by Paramount. They started theming everything after Paramount movies and it was awesome. They had Face-Off and Top Gun rollercoasters, a Drop Zone drop tower and 2 different Days of Thunder experiences. There was a go kart track where every car was made up to look like stock cars from the movie and a big moving theater that moved along to the final race.

HamDangler

no disrespect to your parents but what the heck were they thinkin

paleprince420

First time watching, probably should’ve been pretty obvious without seeing it, but wow is this really just trying to swap race cars for fighter jets, they’re almost the exact same movie

Madeyouread

Do Pelican Brief!!!

Dank Stephan

Really got my fingers crossed that it’s the Q the Winged Serpent ep!

Madeyouread

I showed my wife Senna somewhat early in our relationship and had to go to the bathroom to cry towards the end. That doc always gets me, and I guess I was a bit of a meathead for being afraid to be vulnerable in front of her lol

Wadi

10/10 episode

Gil Slits

Always appreciate the Lou Holtz cameos. Genuinely brightens my day. Apologies if this has been shared before, but here's our man melting down ass at an intern. https://youtu.be/stCR-MjHdck?si=dwmExNdg6qXZUtes

Tim Gray

To be fair, that's the kind of stuff that happens to people of your generation.

Alfred Olsen

Rodgers is like the employee with the bad attitude you want to fire but can’t because his numbers are too good.

David

Anyone else notice that, according to the sauna, the future Mrs Scott was 16 when she shot this?

Graeme Campbell

fear la chancla

bloodflart

Man they were cooking you.

Stafturd

Just watched Exit Wounds the other night and it was pure insanity

Nolan-Globus

Never was a big NASCAR fan but I did feel like I learned a lot when I watched that 30 for 30 that Stanger mentioned called Tim Richmond: To the Limit which I watch when it originally aired. However, after the fact I did some more reading/research and did learn that while the 30 for 30 is alright, it does do a lot of sandpapering over the rough edges of how Nascar actually treated him since Nascar was fully involved in that documentary. It's still worth watching if you want to learn more but I remember reading a counterpoint editorial at the time and it pointed out a couple things. Bill France Jr. who was the head of nascar for decades until he died in 2006 pushed Richmond out. Richmond basically got 86'd from nascar history until France Jr finally died. Prior to 2005 when drug tests became mandatory nascar had done one drug test in the history of the sport and that was for Tim Richmond under the guise of illegal drugs but they wanted to test him for AIDs.

Scott Tammel

Yeah, you're in more trouble than the rest of us, unfortunately.

David Bauer

Praying for a 4 hour 30 minute episode.

Scott Tammel

I gotta get to a CrossFit class in Hollywood just for the CHANCE of Ben Dodgers being on my team and being nice to me

Andres Van Antwerp

As soon as I heard the comment you were quoting, I stopped scrubbing the urinal, and let out an “uh-oh”. Appreciated getting Nicolas Winding Refn’d for 20 minutes.

Don Knott Steiner

Gave us a hot discussion topic!

Gabrus, Rodgers, and Stanger

Well I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll tattoo “Keep it simple stupid” on the back of my thumb to remind myself the next time I text.

Don Knott Steiner

Of all the films to pick for the "Technical Black" banner...

Nick C.

Idk, I get it for sure but there’s just so much magic in the sport despite that fact. And when you get a season when it comes down to the wire (2021, 2012, 2010) it is incredible and I literally lost considerable sleep before every race weekend from the anticipation. The massive amount of commercials and pit stops during Indy and NASCAR take me out, but really any motorsport is still awesome to me.

Wadi

My pose’s on broadway

Jim Bo

I’m commenting after barely starting the ep, so I’m liable to say some dumb shit. I’m too excited though. “As a car buff” I weirdly missed this one and finally watched it yesterday. I loved it so much. Part of me wants to say the names were over the top, but then I remember there were actual drivers named Dick Trickle, Rusty Wallace, Hut Strickin, etc. Tom Cruise looks crazy handsome in this, more than other movies imo. Anyways love you boys and can’t wait to hear the remaining 190 minutes.

Wadi

It’s FIA WRC and SCCA runoffs for me. That late 90s early 2000s era WRC before stricter homologation rules was a wonderful thing to watch.

AFistfulofGwildors

High Concept is one of my favorite books of all time. Haven't read it in over 20 years, but a thing that sticks with me is that Don Simpson would only wear his Levi's once and then throw them out because he likes his jeans to be what he calls "technical black." I guess he said that to Bruckheimer, because Jerry later started a studio called Technical Black Films to do his non action movies, but was only used once for Remember The Titans.

Stephen Olson

Only when Rudy adds a scene of Robert Duvall running the 40 does it become the better movie.

Michael Pemulis

Oh damn i thought this season of Wheel of Time was waaay better than the first season. But Gabrus is so right about the kids being Riverdaled (such a funny verb lol). I would also say the warders are yassified.

MB

It was great to hear Stanger’s dad was in his corner with regards to that horrifying pedophile

Joe B

Rudy is so much better than Days of Thunder. Who teared up during DoT?

David

My grandfather used to race stock car on dirt tracks in western ny, Ransomville was once of them. He once flew his car off the track and tumbled into the parking lot below. They finally installed guardrails on the track after. My grandpops also raced motorbikes on the frozen Lake Ontario and supposedly rode a bike down a ski jump. I dunno. Gramps was a wild man in his youth. In his old age her buried ammunition in the ground. As one does.

Filthy Phillips

Born in 88- I'm sure some people my age saw it back in the day but I definitely never got any sense this movie was ubiquitous in the culture (unlike Top Gun). Even though the gap is nothing now, I think 6-8 years (80-82 birth range) is a pretty big difference in kid years. A lot of the movies Rodgers says were on TV all the time don't hit for my experience at all.

PodDrew

Bless you for the length of this super funny episode.

Leelu Baloo

I gave Formula 1 a go, but it’s hard to get into a sport when the same guy wins every race. NASCAR teams can make their cars faster as the season goes on. A turn here, a wedge there. Things of that nature

Bob Brown

Stanger's rating scared the shit outta me hahaha...5 stars

Alex East

Rodgers doing the Eeyore voice “They’re eatin’ my humps.” Goddamn.

JamieQT

I have never seen this film or Top Gun. I was born in 1988.

MB

I think that Javier’s wording in his initial comment provided helpful context (noting a lack of nostalgia) for his opinion. I also knew which movies he meant immediately, again thanks to the context he provided (noting it was last year that he saw Maverick). I respectfully disagree with the ripping apart of a perfectly good comment! Please feel free to rip me apart for this one!

Jenn

i havent taken DMT but ive been completely out of my gord on psychedelics for like 24 hours at a stretch, smoked way too high concntrate salvia and gone to the third plateau MANY times. is it THAT different from all of those things?

Sneakaboard

Jesus…sorry for making a third comment this episode but the dmt Gabrus encountered is usually called “Changa”. I’m sure this weird dude had his own spin on the term but I’ve never heard anyone call it Chingola. It kinda looks like furry cannabis red hairs. It’s a version of dmt that doesn’t require solvents and chemistry to produce like the traditional “base” form of dmt. It’s fairly low powered. You can get the full dmt effect if you really concentrate and take 5-6 enormous hits while getting it piping hot with a torch lighter. If you smoke it casually it just gives you a sort of light mushroom-type high for a few minutes. I imagine that that’s why people like it (it’s a subtle high that goes away fast) but it’s not like the real deal dmt where you are fully transported to a three dimensional alternate universe and your entire consciousness evaporates into a ethereal mist. For anyone that hasn’t done DMT I recommend it more than anything on this earth. If you just want to feel a little shroomy and keep it casual then take a rip on that chingola pipe in the sauna.

Pod Ween Satan

The better angle is, the people who complain about it have autism, no friends and can’t separate art from pornography

Baloney George

I grew up in Daytona in the 90s. There definitely was some magic to 80s and 90s Nascar where it felt less sterile and corporate compared to nowadays. Still few things beat being at the track and seeing the power and speed of those cars flying by im sure its a similar feeling at an indy car or formula 1 race. It's funny how all that shit like confederate flags, race cars, generally accepted trashiness felt normal as a kid.

Mijo

Thanks for reminding me of the Merton Hanks dance, Ryno. It's one of the best celebratory dances put to film

From Parts Unknown

Born in '78, never saw Days of Thunder until this weekend. I never even saw Jurassic Park. I have a feeling a lot of people in my generation did, but I don't know. I did see The Fugitive, Much Ado About Nothing, and Gettysburg four times though.

David Bauer

“Always sit between you and Wheels. Anyone rushes you…they have to get though Wheels. “

Daniel_

from wiki:CHANGA : "" So, a ‘classic’ and ‘original’ changa blend that has stood the test of time looks something like this: 30% ayahuasca vine and/or leaf 20% mullein 20% passionflower 20% peppermint 5% calendula 5% blue lotus" ""

tmcms

OMG this ep is Laugh-a-minute

tmcms

The specific of Gabrus only having a Yanni live album to listen to really got me. Great ep as per usual.

Quimberton Mullrooney

Fire in the sky episode?

Swimfan69

another angle to the anti sex scene sentiment that i saw online and agreed with is that the focus on movie plots ("no spoilers", the cottage industry of articles breaking down easter eggs/plot holes/ending explained) leads to decreased interest in characters and relationships. if you go to a movie to have a story or plot delivered to you, you're not gonna be as interested to learn about a character's desires or attractions or who/how they fck!! https://x.com/theoceanblooms/status/1692254971952038343?s=20

haley

Check out Villeneuve/Pironi. It’s not as good as Senna but is incredibly good.

Moira's Machine

Was hoping someone would mention Carowinds. Spent so many hours in line every summer for that “ride.” Also got banned from Wayne’s World for shooting the bird at the camera on The Hurler. Just a wonderful park.

Moira's Machine

Any plans to cover Fire Walk With Me?

Dirk Dribbler

Pushing Tin was my generation’s Top Gun

Dirk Dribbler

Born in '87 and we had Top Gun and Days of Thunder on tape and watched them constantly. When I was like 6 I asked my mom if I could watch Top Gun alone, she said ok. Then I felt I needed to add that I would fast-forward the sex scene since dad wasn't home and my mom changed her mind and told me to watch Aladdin instead.

Dustin

Car racing never quite did it for me until I saw the doc Senna. It stands alongside the other world class docs that have been showcased on the show (American Movie, Crumb, etc). Senna is so damn good. I would absolutely love to see it done on a ShadowWolves episode. That’s my No Retreat No Surender 2. Another treat for you all to check out is Claude LeLouche’s short film “C'était un rendez-vous”. I always knew it as Rendezvous but it’s only 8 minutes and one shot but completely mind blowing. If I recall the director got arrested for some sort of reckless driving/endangering the public charge after the premiere at a film festival. Friedkin was probably a bit jealous.

Pod Ween Satan

Jacob Corona

Quick post re: Earnhardt’s death and the impact it had on safety moving forward. The HANS device was invented in the 80s and as Ben described, tethers the helmet to the seat in order to prevent whiplashing of the head and spine. It was universally ignored and resisted until Earnhardt’s death, which wasn’t unique in circumstance, but certainly was given Earnhardt’s profile as the face of the sport. Now, F1, NASCAR, Indycar, etc. all mandate use of the HANS device. For F1 fans, this device probably protected Lance Stroll from serious injury during his crash at the Singapore GP this last weekend.

Dustin

Podcasters murdered by obsessive fan: friends and family of alleged killer say "We all saw this coming"

Michael Pemulis

I am friends with one of the ADs that did Days Of Thunder and he had some fun stories from the shoot. He said Don Simpson instructed the line producer that he was not allowed to deny any requests from department heads which gave everyone on the crew as well as Tony Scott carte blanche to do absolutely whatever they wanted. If the Key Grip asked for 20 extra guys and an extra truckload of gear he got it without any questions asked. If the DP wanted to light the scene with 10 condors…no problemo. My friend said that they were constantly rewriting the script as they were shooting so on numerous occasions the intended day’s pages would be in limbo so the entire crew would suddenly have nothing to do. Tony Scott would just invent stunts and car b-roll shots to do in order to fill in time. An entire gigantic production team just pulling shots out of their ass all day to stay busy. My buddy said that nearly every stunt in the movie was needlessly shot multiple times for the same reason. They’d get the shot but have nothing left to do the rest of the day so they’d just set it up again and shoot another take. There was apparently an ongoing joke where crew members would ask Don Simpson what the budget was and he’d respond with increasingly macho lines like, “Don’t worry kid just keep shooting.” Or “budget? Those are for fucking cowards. We’re making a masterpiece!” By all accounts it sounded like a lot of fun.

Pod Ween Satan

Born in ‘86 as well. I’ve never seen Days of Thunder, but watched Topgun all the time. I could just never get onboard with Nascar and Nascar movies. I just don’t find it interesting and whenever I do watch a movie with Nascar, or talk to people about it, they always go on about how Nascar is actually interesting because it’s about the car and the pit crew and how well they work together. Give me Tom Cruise in the same fighter jet as everyone else and he’s better than everyone else because he’s a better pilot. Not just cars that go in a circle. Or you know what would be a good movie, Tom Cruise as a speed boat racer, and he’s better because he knows the ocean, he can feel the water and know how it’ll move.

Swimfan69

We’re quite ahead in recording episodes, but I can report the firewalker record will soon fall.

Gabrus, Rodgers, and Stanger

We were not a NASCAR family, but I still remember my mom, shellshocked, knocking on my bedroom door and asking if I'd seen that Dale died. A year and a half later I was riding in a van doing 95 MPH around Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of a college class (long story), explaining the accident to some classmates who weren't familiar with it. I found myself getting choked up talking about this thing I hadn't seen or particularly cared about until then.

Nick C.

I remember watching the race where Earnhardt crashed live with my dad and thinking holy shit that man is dead. Also watched the ppv where Owen Hart died. Factor in 9/11 and so much makes sense about me now lol

Megan

Trick question. The real answer is Michael J Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future.

Coconut Banger

You know this movie was written by some insulated HollyWEIRD elite because they say Quaid is selling Chevys in "Downtown Charlotte." To counter the image of urban decay of the 70's there was a big local PR campaign to call the city center "Uptown" (because UP is positive!) and it worked astonishingly well; it has been "Uptown Charlotte" my entire life.

Nick C.

My cousin (rip) was obsessed with this movie. Had posters covering her walls and all the Hardee’s toy cars.

Erik Kang

Yes!!!!

John McClane

Firewalker episode is 3:49

AFistfulofGwildors

Phat Fred Thompson

bloodflart

Nothing I love more than seeing the 3:31 episode length. For most, the length is a detriment but not us freaks. I’d love a 4.5 hr episode.

Jeff

When Gabrus was riffing on bagged cereal and said IrocZ marshmallows. That mixed with a movie based around Nascar reminded me of the old Iroc races they did. Once or maybe twice a year Nascar put on a race where every team raced Irocs against each other. That was one of the only times I'd actually sit and watch a race. I wonder if they still do any odd ball races like that.

Gilligan(The marooned Ranchero)

The Program is 3:48

Eric U

Born in 85. Saw this on TV in pieces. Didn't see Top Gun until the last 5 to 10 years and am mostly lukewarm. I'm a bigger fan of DoT spiritual sequel: Far and Away.

FiddlersGreenDay

OMG IT'S THE REAL COLE TRICKLE I LOVE YOUR WORK

Dark Angel Of The Year

We had one at Carowinds too. "You're burning up the dang tires" is stuck in my mind from the ride. Love this movie, as someone from Charlotte, seeing City Chevrolet and other locales and having all of the Hardee'sxDays of Thunder collab products it hit different. Every time I got home sick while living in Chicago, I threw this on.

Michael Felder

Longest ep?

Eugenio Triana

I was born in ‘91 and I’ve watched this movie 100 times. Idk what that other guy was talking about.

Cole Trickle

Born in ‘86, watched the hell out of days of thunder. It was a theater ride at Kings Dominion in VA that I was obsessed with as well.

Larux

100’ of 3/4” garden hose holds about a gallon of water. I wish there was a scene of Robert Duvall threading the fuel line all over the car.

Ian Garwood

Which ABZ movie has the better driver reveal, Michael Rooker as Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder or Chuck Norris as John T. Booker in Good Guys Wear Black? And be honest.

Adam Lane

GO TONY GO TONY GO VROOM VROOM

Dark Angel Of The Year

I KNOW COLE HE ALWAYS GOES THE OUTSIDE!

connie voltaire

Lazy Fred Thompson

Former Janitor

Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let's go racing, Boyz!

Cole Trickle