Tom Cruise has revealed that he once drove his pregnant sister around Daytona International Speedway at roughly 200 mph during the filming of Days of Thunder in the late 1980s. The actor shared the story while comparing old-school movie sets to how things function today. He described a much looser era of filmmaking, one where safety protocols barely existed. What followed was a wild look back at a decision no modern production would ever allow.

While today every stunt requires waivers and strict clearance, Cruise made clear that decades ago, invitations like this needed nothing more than a nod.

Tom Cruise explained that during production on Days of Thunder, he spent long stretches behind the wheel of a race car at Daytona International Speedway. His sister, Cass Mapother, was visiting the set at the time and happened to be six months pregnant. Without hesitation, Cruise invited her along for a lap around the track. On the New Heights podcast, he recalled the moment clearly.

"Back in the 80s, I had my sister, I was like, you know, I'm driving around Daytona 200 miles an hour," he said.

He then added, "I was like, Hey guys, jump in the car. So they get in and they just hold on to the rails," emphasizing how casual the entire exchange truly felt at the time.

Cruise noted on the New Heights podcast that passengers in that era simply held onto open helmet seating, since none of the restraints or approvals required now were part of the process. He admitted that the reaction afterward was almost dismissive, with everyone calling it awesome and moving straight to the next task. There were no waivers, no safety briefings, and certainly no hesitation from anyone involved that day. It reflects just how different film production culture was before modern regulations reshaped how sets operate.

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That same fearless mentality toward physical experiences carried directly into his most recent project, though this time the challenge involved patience rather than speed.

Tom Cruise revealed that preparing for his new look in Digger initially demanded an exhausting six-hour makeup session before filming could even begin. Faced with twelve-hour shooting days and limited rest, he decided the routine needed serious restructuring. He introduced a timing system using a stopwatch, tracking each prosthetic piece as it went on. Crew members were doubtful at first, insisting the process could never realistically be shortened.

Through repeated practice and refined sequencing, that six-hour ordeal eventually dropped to under a single hour without sacrificing quality. Cruise noted that the improvement happened so smoothly that the crew barely registered the change taking place. The story mirrors his broader approach toward physical challenges throughout his career, whether behind the wheel or under layers of prosthetics. From racetracks to makeup chairs, Cruise continues treating discomfort as simply another problem worth solving efficiently.

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What are your thoughts on Tom Cruise taking his pregnant sister for a 200 mph ride decades ago? Let us know in the comments.