Days of Thunder is a 1990 American sports action drama film directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Robert Towne wrote the screenplay based on a story he co-wrote with Tom Cruise. The film stars Cruise, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, Nicole Kidman and Cary Elwes. It also features appearances by real life NASCAR racers, such as Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett, and Harry Gant. Commentator Dr. Jerry Punch, of ESPN, has a cameo appearance, as does co-producer Don Simpson.