NASCAR great Dick Trickle, ‘Days of Thunder’ receive ‘Jeopardy!’ shoutout

NASCAR and former driver Dick Trickle made it on Thursday’s episode of Jeopardy. “Dick’s Sporting Good” for 600 yielded the clue, “Played by Tom Cruise, Cole Trickle in this movie shares his last name with real-life NASCAR legend Dick Trickle,” per Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.

The answer to that question, of course, was “Days of Thunder.” The 1990 motorsports film stars Cruise, who acts under the name “Cole Trickle.”

Legendary racer and longtime NASCAR driver Dick Trickle was a clue on today's episode of Jeopardy.

The answer was Days of Thunder. pic.twitter.com/WIn2yu0XuL

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 27, 2025

But “Days of Thunder” being the answer to a clue is certainly believable. Dick Trickle included in the clue is likely a first.

Trickle enjoyed a near 30-year career in NASCAR, finishing as high as 15th in the Cup Series points standings in 1989. The Wisconsin native also competed in the Xfinity Series, winning two races and finishing a career-best 11th in 1999.

Dick Trickle was a legendary short track racer

Beyond his NASCAR career, Trickle is known to many as the greatest short track driver in stock car racing history. Trickle is said to have tallied over 1,200 feature wins, 67 coming in 1972. He was a seven-time ARTGO Challenge Series Champion (1977, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987), two-time ASA National Tour Champion (1984, 1985) and three-time World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model Champion (1984, 1985, 1986).

Trickle tragically died May 16, 2013, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Former NASCAR CEO Brian France said in a statement at the time:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today,” France said. “Dick was a legend in the short-track racing community, particularly in his home state of Wisconsin, and he was a true fan favorite. Personalities like Dick Trickle helped shape our sport.”