Hendrick Motorsports has promoted Corey Day to a full-time ride in what will be the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season.
Day, 19, will drive the No. 17 Chevrolet with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com. Adam Wall will be the team’s crew chief.
“Corey impressed us with how quickly he adapted this year,” Rick Hendrick said. “He’ll go into 2026 with less pavement experience than anyone in the field, but you’d never know it by watching him drive. The instincts and raw talent are off the charts, and he’s going to keep getting better with more seat time. Corey has a tremendous future, and we’re proud to have him represent HendrickCars.com.”
Hendrick Motorsports signed Day in December 2024. Day ran 11 races in the Xfinity Series (becoming the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026), earning two top-10 finishes. He also made nine starts in the Craftsman Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, earning three top-10 finishes.
“The opportunity to race full time for Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports is something I’ve been working toward and feel I’m ready for,” Day said.
“I’ve learned so much from everyone here this past year, and I’m grateful for the chance to represent HendrickCars.com every week in 2026. Adam and the No. 17 team have shown the ability to win races, and I can’t wait to build on that foundation and compete for a championship.”
The Clovis, California native is still getting his feet underneath him with pavement racing. Day has an extensive dirt racing background, and he added marquee victories to his resume this season in Las Vegas with High Limit Racing, Knoxville with the World of Outlaws, and a third straight Gold Cup Race of Champions title.
Day was the Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2022 and is a previous winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix, the latter of which he became the youngest winner in the event’s history.