8 Life Lessons from Cole Trickle and Days of Thunder in the 90s
Sometimes life lessons come from unexpected places—like the 1990s racing movie. After watching Days of Thunder over 20 times, these are the valuable insights that stuck with me over the years.
1. Face Your Fears Head-On
You’ve got to get back on the horse (or back in the race car) and face your fears.
After Cole is involved in a devastating wreck, it’s unclear whether he’ll race again. But he returns to help his friend and old rival, Rowdy Burns, even though he’s scared.
During a race, Cole approaches a wreck similar to the one that injured him. His crew chief, Harry Hogge, tells him, “I believe in you.” Cole, breathing heavily, drives through the wreck and smoke, facing his fears and finding his old form.
It still gives me goosebumps.
2. Success Takes a Team
Success isn’t a singular achievement; it takes a team of supporters working together.
As good as Cole is, he’s nothing without the support of Harry, Buck Bretherton, the pit crew, his sponsors, and team owner Tim Daland. Cole is at his best when the team works together.
When everyone’s in synch and believing and trusting each other, the team is firing on all cylinders.
3. Looks Can Be Deceiving
“There’s nothing stock about a stock car,” says Harry Hogge.
Although stock cars look the same on the outside, each one is unique. Cole learns that understanding the technical aspects of his car is crucial.
Skill alone isn’t enough; you need smarts and technical know-how too.
4. Endurance is Key to Winning
“Tires are what wins a race,” Harry teaches Cole.
Early on in the film, Cole struggles because he drives all over the track.
Harry shows him how to conserve tire wear, avoid frequent changes, and maintain control. Once Cole masters this, he’s in business.
5. Always Buy the Insurance on a Rental Car
Remember when Cole and Rowdy rent cars and race them to dinner with NASCAR’s head honcho?
Always buy the insurance on a rental car—enough said.
6. Accept What You Can’t Control
“Control is an illusion, (you infantile egomaniac).” Cole’s doctor and girlfriend tells him.
Cole believes he can control his destiny with his team’s help. He acknowledges the uncontrollable but focuses on what he can manage.
There’s risk in everything, and we’ll never amount to much if we let fear control us.
7. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
“I know Cole, he always goes to the outside,” says Russ Wheeler. Famous last words.
To get ahead, sometimes you’ve got to get out of your comfort zone. In the final race, Harry tells Cole to pass Russ on the outside, which goes against everything Cole has learned.
Trusting Harry, Cole takes the risk, surprises Russ, and wins the race.
8. Fight for Your Opportunities
“Let me drive, Harry. I won’t make a fool out of you,” Cole promises when they first meet.
Harry initially writes Cole off based on appearances. Cole convinces him to give him a chance. Without Harry’s leap of faith, Cole wouldn’t have reached the winner’s circle.
Long before Eminem told us we “only get one shot,” Cole taught us we need to fight for our opportunities and make the best of them.
Days of Thunder (1990)
Days of Thunder was my favourite movie for a few years in the early 90s, I think between age 11 and maybe 14. Sure it’s cheesy, but it’s good cheese.
If anyone remembers visiting Paramount Canada’s Wonderland between 1994 and 1998, you may remember the Days of Thunder “ride.” There was a theatre-type experience where the seats moved and shook as you were made to feel like you were right there in the race car with Cole. It was pretty sweet!
I didn’t realize until today when I was looking up some information about Days of Thunder, that a lot of the script wasn’t finished when filming started. There are even a few scenes where Tom Cruise is reading from cue cards taped to the windshield of the car!
What do you remember about this 1990 cinematic gem? Were you a sucker for these Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer action movies too?
I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to drop a comment below.
Thanks for reading.
Have a rad rest of your day!
-Craig
Craig is a partner, and proud father of a teenage daughter, and two dogs. He's an avid blogger who loves researching and discussing 80s and 90s nostalgia. When not working on his website or hanging with his fam, Craig enjoys playing guitar, watching lacrosse, and being near water.