Keanu Reeves Enters Professional Racing Era
Legendary actor Keanu Reeves took a different set of skills to the racetrack this past weekend, showing the world that he’s more than just screen star. The John Wick and The Matrix trilogy star made his professional auto racing debut on Saturday in the Toyota GR Cup at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The two-day event saw Reeves compete against 32 other racers where he finished in the bottom third both days.
Keanu Reeves At Toyota GR Cup
With finishes of 25th place in his first race and 24th place in his second endeavor, Keanu Reeves’ racing talent will likely be far overshadowed by what he can do with a film script.
During the first race on Saturday, fans saw Reeves go into a bad steer off the exit for Turn 9, leading to the actor spinning out on the grass. Thankfully, Reeves managed to regain control of his racecar and get back into the race before any collisions occurred.
Close Call With A Spinout
The 60-year-old Keanu Reeves’ close call with the spinout might well have cost him a higher placing. After qualifying 31st out of 35 cars, Reeves was speeding along as high as 21st during part of the event. The 45-minute racing event saw Reeves’ position fade halfway through, though only by four spots.
Drove The BRZRKR Car
For the weekend’s race, Keanu Reeves was paired with social media influencer Cody Jones from “Dude Perfect.”
In the days leading up to the racing event, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway released some teaser videos featuring the actor with the caption “Keanu Reeves? Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Even movie stars have that itch to compete at the Racing Capital of the World.”
For the race, Keanu Reeves drove a car named No. 92 BRZRKR. This was a move to promote the graphic novel The Book of Elsewhere, which he co-wrote with China Mieville.
Not His First Race
Last weekend’s race wasn’t the first time that Keanu Reeves drove during a racing event, though.
In 2009, the Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure actor competed at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach where he took first place in a celebrity race.
Keanu Reeves has more than just racing as a professional extra-curricular, too. In 1991, Reeves helped to form the alternative rock band Dogstar, playing bass and performing backup vocals.
Together with Days of Our Lives star Robert Kenneth Mailhouse (drums), and musician Bret Domrose (guitar and vocals), Reeves and company recorded three full length albums, an EP, and performed on multiple tours.
Keanu Reeves, More Than Just An Actor
Dogstar also made an appearance in the 1999 film Me and Will, starring Patrick Dempsy and M. Emmet Walsh.
The band helped to boost multiple smaller groups to fame, including the 90s punk band Rancid. It’s also notable that alternative rock icon Weezer’s first time on the professional stage was when they closed out a show for Dogstar.
Whether or not the future holds more raceway events for Keanu Reeves is up in the air. But if the public has learned anything about the veteran actor in the last 30 years, it’s that his versatility certainly extends beyond acting.
For now, some fans are keeping their eyes glued to the sports networks in hopes of seeing Reeves compete in another racing event.
