LENO: "GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!"

Slamming pedal to the metal, racing nut and “Days of Thunder” star TOM CRUISE was first to phone JAY LENO and commit to blowing exhaust fumes in the kisser of any celeb brave enough to race him when Jay stages his own Nights of Thunder on that gazillion$$ track NBC built for his evening talk-fest!

“Tom called to say he can’t wait,” said a Leno insider. “Jay’s phoning all his celeb pals, and there’s a long line forming as stars and star athletes clamor to compete. CONAN O’BRIEN’s fuming.”

Already getting creamed in TV’s late-night wars by DAVID LETTERMAN, carrot-top Conan turned apoplexy red when Jay – The King he’d supposedly deposed – revved up their brutal battle for big-name guests.

As scooped here in June, Conan raged at network honchos: “NO A-list guests for Jay…period!”

Sly Jay’s outfoxed you, Conan. He’s not booking guests – he’s booking drivers! Get ready to rumble, Red.