Hendrick Motorsports Ensures Future, Signs 19-Year-old Corey Day

” When Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon say someone is the real deal, it certainly gets your attention,” Hendrick said. “Corey comes from a great racing family and in a short time has shown a level of talent that sets him apart. What he’s already accomplished at this point in his career speaks volumes, and it’s been impressive to see how quickly he’s adapted to pavement. We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”

https://twitter.com/TeamHendrick/status/1877400264035995895

Day shared a pretty emotional childhood story about how he used to get upset when Jeff didn’t win.

” I can remeber multiple times as a little kid, watching NASCAR races and crying because Jeff Gordon didn’t win,” Day said. “So, to be sitting next to him signing a contract is just unbelievable.”

Day Has the Making Of A Future Star

Sure his pavement racing is limited, as he has only made seven total starts within the NASCAR banner, Four Truck races, and three ARCA races in 2024. Still, the kid has potential across the board.

For only being 19, he’s got plenty of accolades under his belt. That includes racing full-time in Larson’s High Limit Series in 2024, along with select starts in World of Outlaws events, where he accumulated 10 victories, along with 25 top-five finishes and 44 top 10s in 73 starts. He made a huge splash back in 2022 when he was named the Rookie of the Year at the Chili Bowl.

That success caught the eye of both Gordon and Larson. In fact according to Jarrod Castillo from the Daily Express US, Larson saw the potential when Day was only 17.

” His racecraft, his maturity on the track, off the track, like all that….” Larson said. “He’s really really good and he can run harder than anybody on the race track and be in control. So, he’s definetly the next kid coming up that probably will make it.”

Those comments appear to have come true, as Day will now get a chance to follow in the footsteps of both Gordon and Larson.

Talk About a Dream Come True

Day’s story feels very familiar. I wonder where I’ve seen it before. Oh wait, Jeff Gordon rose from dirt racing to NASCAR. So did Larson. His path is the same, and it’s only natural that he ended up with Hendrick Motorsports, who has famously taken a chance on a driver and it has paid off.

Day appears ready to tackle what lies ahead, and it certainly won’t be easy, given his lack of experience. Still what a great opportunity, and he has plenty of people to go to for advice. Day spoke about how this opportunity is a dream come true according to NASCAR.com

” This is a dream scenario,” Day said. ” I’m grateful to Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Groip for providing a platform to grow and compete at this level. There’s still a lot to learn on pavement, but having such incredible support gives me a ton of confidence. I’m ready to work hard and take in as much as I can. It’s going to be a fun year.”

The future is Bright For Hendrick Motorsports

The team has a great four-driver Cup line-up that has proven they are going to be set for a while. The lower series, certainly have plenty of young talent. But to see that HMS has Corey Day, and Rajah Caruth both within their driver tree, certainly bolds well for the future. Hendrick has done it again.