Cole Trickle — Days of Thunder Character Profile

About Cole Trickle

A talented USAC racer recruited into NASCAR. He struggles with stock cars and terminology, suffers crashes, and trains rigorously. After overcoming early rivals, he wins his first race at Darlington. Following injuries and team conflicts, he drives for Rowdy at the Daytona 500, outsmarting Russ to claim victory.

Cole Trickle — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Tom Cruise

Appears in

Days of Thunder (1990)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (5)

• Cole Trickle — Professional Employer — Tim Dalander (Randy Quaid)

  Team owner hires Cole to race for his NASCAR team

• Cole Trickle — Professional Crew Chief — Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall)

  Harry is Cole's crew chief and mentor

• Cole Trickle — Conflict Rival — Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker)

  Intense racing rivalry that develops into friendship

• Cole Trickle — Romantic Interest — Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman)

  Cole develops a romantic relationship with Claire

• Cole Trickle — Conflict Rival — Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes)

  New rivalry develops between Cole and Russ

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Days of Thunder

More characters from Days of Thunder

• Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall)
• Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman)
• Tim Dalander (Randy Quaid)
• Jennie Burns (Caroline Williams)
• Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes)
• Big John (Fred Thompson)
• Cole's Crew (Peter Appel)
• Dr. Wilhaire (Gerald R. Molen)
• Harlem Hoogerhyde (Chris Ellis)
• Female Highway Patrol Officer (Leilani Sarelle)
• Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker)
• Lauren Daland (Barbara Garrick)