Hey, Daytona, Bristol sees your Tom Cruise and raises you one Brad Pitt.
That’s right, on the heels of Tom Cruise visiting Daytona to announce the new Days of Thunder sequel, fellow Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt will attend the Bristol Night Race next Saturday to promote … what exactly?
Not sure, except a well-known connection to his Missouri hometown.
Not long after basking in the glow of his well-received film about Formula One racing (“F1: The Movie”), Pitt will venture deep into the heart of stock-car racing to serve as grand marshal of the famed Bristol Night Race, Sept. 19.
Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in last year’s hit movie, “F1.”
Make that co-grand marshal. Pitt will share the duty with another native of Springfield, Missouri — Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris, whose company has been a longtime sponsor of the annual Bristol race as well as a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Chase Briscoe’s No. 19).
Which Brad Pitt movie is Johnny Morris’ favorite?
Pitt, who played gray-bearded racer Sonny Hayes in the F1 movie, is currently making the rounds promoting his new film, “Heart of the Beast,” a Paramount Pictures production opening Sept. 25. But it’s a long-ago Pitt film Johnny Morris naturally cited when looking ahead to giving the starting command with the actor.
“So many people still remember Brad’s role in ‘A River Runs Through It,’ a film that helped inspire a deeper appreciation for fly-fishing and the importance of conserving the rivers and wild places that make those experiences possible,” Morris said.
“This race is one of the most exciting nights in sports, and we’re proud to have Brad join us as we salute conservation and honor the brave veterans, first responders and the men and women who serve our country and communities.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Brad Pitt lands a NASCAR job and it’s a big one. Where, when and why?