Crush: Hollywood’s Next GenerationZac Efron: Speed Racer
Ladies and gentleman, start your engines!
Zac Efron, 23, set hearts racing Friday when he donned a uniform to shoot scenes for his upcoming movie "Heartland" at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. The flick stars Zac as a rural Iowan teen named Dean Whipple, who has dreams of becoming a professional race car driver, which doesn't sit too well with his farming father played by Dennis Quaid.
Interestingly enough, there was an actual race -- the Prairie Meadows 200 ARCA Series -- taking place on the day of filming. According to Iowa Speedway president Jerry Jauron, "Efron's character catches a big break to race, and it just so happens that he races in the ARCA races at the Iowa Speedway. The goal is for Zac to look as if he's been racing his whole life."
Of course, Zac didn't actually get behind the wheel and compete, but footage from the race -- including infield shots and the fans in the grandstand -- will appear in the actual flick.
The rest of the film is primarily being shot in DeKalb County, Illinois, so Efron's Chicago fans should be on the lookout. On Sunday, the actor was spotted dining in the Windy City at swanky restaurant Japonais.
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