Shared with you
Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner were originally attached as producers. Roger Corman, producer of the original film, Death Race 2000 (1975), had an option agreement with Cruise, with the idea that Cruise would play the lead role. This agreement never got off the ground, as Cruise was unhappy with the first three versions of the script that had been submitted.
To get into fighting shape for this film, Jason Statham trained for three months with an ex-Navy SEAL, who was one of the key trainers who built the Spartans of the film 300 (2006).
Jason Statham trained so hard for his role in the film that he went from 20% body fat to 6%. It took him three months to do so.
David Carradine, who starred in the original film, Death Race 2000 (1975), played the voice of Frankenstein in the opening scene of this film.
Joan Allen was the first choice to play Claire Hennessey, the female warden of Terminal Island. Much to writer and director Paul W.S. Anderson's surprise, Allen was just as keen to take the part, wanting to shake up her image at the time.
A total of 34 cars were used in the film. They were constantly repaired by a team of 85 mechanics.