NASCAR and Hollywood have a complicated relationship. Even with sporadic releases and borderline offensive stereotypes, its pop culture impact is still felt today. Ricky Bobby’s attire hangs on clothing racks in malls, “Days of Thunder” content is being created with current situations, and a “Stroker Ace” tribute paint scheme will be used this season — yet the representation of the sport is scarce in cinema.
The last NASCAR-centric film, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” was released in 2006. The comedy starring Will Ferrell grossed $148.2 million in the U.S. and was the No. 1 film at the box office, but the demeaning depiction turned off some fans and those involved with the sport.
The sanctioning body attempted to re-enter the limelight recently with Netflix’s “The Crew” with Kevin James. The show sought to blend traditional workplace sitcoms with a more accurate take on NASCAR than films like “Talladega Nights” but wasn’t able to garner enough success to be picked up for a second season.
To find the last time NASCAR was seriously disseminated in pop culture, you’d have to go all the way back to 1990 with “Days of Thunder” starring Tom Cruise. The fictional sports drama is one of the most beloved films among racing fans, as it captured the essence of the sport near perfectly.
With films like “Ford v. Ferrari” and “Rush” receiving both critical and mainstream praise from the masses in recent years, why doesn’t NASCAR follow suit? Biopics have long been a revered genre across cinema, and it could be the key to taking the sport to the next level.
Truthfully, there can only be one legacy brought to life on the silver screen, but there are multiple ways to go about it: The legend of Dale Earnhardt.
“The Intimidator” Biopic
It can’t be overstated what an insurmountable impact Earnhardt has had on NASCAR, even to this day. The seven-time champion aptly nicknamed “The Intimidator” took the sport to unforeseen heights with his personality on and off the race track.
Earnhardt is one of the most recognizable figures across all professional sports, and his tragic passing during the 2001 Daytona 500 gripped the world in that moment. This, in turn, brought about necessary safety advancements from NASCAR, which is still being improved upon today.
The traditional biopic approach would have the film centered around Earnhardt. While exposing viewers to his impact on the sport, it would also have to highlight the hardships of his personal life to add even more depth and emotion to his legacy.
“In The Blink of an Eye” – Michael Waltrip’s Book Adaptation
“If you’re even going to make a movie about NASCAR, it’s the perfect storyline.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made this remark on his podcast when reminiscing about the win at Daytona International Speedway the same year his father passed away in the season opener, and it’s hard to argue with that statement.
Michael Waltrip pushed the Hall of Famer to the checkered flag in what would be one of the most iconic and emotional victories across all sports. The teammates in tears hugging atop Waltrip’s No. 15, accompanied by a sea of crew members on the infield grass, and the roar from the sellout crowd felt like a surreal ending to a film.
Waltrip’s book “In the Blink of an Eye” would bring a new perspective for general audiences not invested in the sport while shedding light on his long-time relationship and mental struggles following the fall-out of the tragedy in 2001.
“The Rainbow Warrior vs. The Man in Black” – Gordon / Earnhardt Rivalry
Hailing in comparison to “Rush,” the rivalry between Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon can be a massive box office success. These are the two figures most associated with NASCAR from general perception, and this ongoing feud put the sport on the map.
The rivalry initially began as a battle between old school and new school but graduated into a strategic back-and-forth that would stimulate NASCAR’s growth. Opposite personalities, color schemes, and much more strengthened this competition, but there was more behind the scenes.
Earnhardt and Gordon had a relationship off the track, and bringing this story to life could add another element of heart to the infamous rivalry. As time forged forward, it became more of a calculated chaos to bring exposure to NASCAR, enhancing the respect audiences had or lacked before viewing the biopic.
