NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Corey Day (17) during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Race at Martinsville Speedway. Greg Atkins-Imagn Images

Corey Day signs with Hendrick Motorsports for 2026 NASCAR season

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Nov 7, 2025 11:08 AM ET

Hendrick Motorsports' newest young star will be one of NASCAR's most intriguing rookies in 2026.

On Friday, Hendrick Motorsports announced that 19-year-old Corey Day will drive the No. 17 HMS Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly the NASCAR Xfinity Series) in 2026.

Day, a protege of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, made 11 Xfinity Series starts in 2025, collecting one top five, two top 10s and an average finish of 15.9. He finished on the lead lap in 10 of 11 races.

Day has been regarded throughout the NASCAR community as an intriguing prospect, especially once he gains more experience on asphalt tracks. Day's racing background was primarily in dirt racing before he began transitioning to stock car racing.

The next generation is here! @corey_day_ is officially joining Hendrick Motorsports full-time in 2026, driving the No. 17 @HendrickCars Chevrolet.

https://t.co/DpH8PPCBo9 pic.twitter.com/nfnWHWl6Gt
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) November 7, 2025

Day's other NASCAR experience includes 13 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (two top fives, three top 10s) and six starts in the ARCA Menards Series (one top five, three top 10s).

Adam Wall, who was the crew chief for Hendrick's part-time No. 17 Xfinity Series entry this season, will stay with the team as Day's crew chief. Wall helped engineer a solid season for the No. 17 team in 2025. In 21 races with multiple drivers, the No. 17 car won two races, had nine top-five finishes and 10 top-10 finishes with zero DNFs, finishing 19th in the owners' standings.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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