Second-generation racing standout Corey Day of Clovis will again race fulltime in NASCAR’s second-tier series next season, but he’ll also debut in the organization’s marque NASCAR Cup.

Word of Hendrick Motorsports’ plans for the 20-year-old Day were accompanied by the company’s announcement that it signed him to a long-term contract extension Wednesday.

“When I joined Hendrick Motorsports, I knew I had a lot to learn. And I still do,” Day said in a news release. “But the people here have really embraced me and invested a lot of time in helping me grow, both as a driver and a person.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick give us all the resources we could possibly need. I’m so grateful to them, Jeff Gordon, Jeff Andrews and the 500 teammates who put so much into our success. I’m focused on winning a championship together this year and bringing many more trophies home to Hendrick Motorsports in the future.”

Two O’Reilly’s Wins This Season

Day, who describes himself as a dirt-track racer, has impressed the NASCAR community with his ability to handle the No. 17 Hendrick Chevrolet in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Series. Although he has competed in fewer than 70 races in full-bodied cars on pavement, Day has won twice in his rookie O’Reilly’s season and sits fifth in the points standings.

“What Corey has accomplished in such a short time is remarkable,” said team owner. “He came to us with generational talent but almost no experience racing on pavement.

“The fact that he’s already competing for a championship at this level is extraordinary, and he’s just beginning to scratch the surface. We love Corey’s character and how he fits our organization, and we’re proud to have him with us for many years to come.”

Day earned his first career O’Reilly’s victory April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway and followed with his second May 16 at Dover Motor Speedway. He opened the 2026 O’Reilly’s Chase with a second-place finish Saturday at Darlington Raceway.

Big Sprint Car Victories

In 2024, Day raced full-time in the High Limit sprint car series and competed in select World of Outlaws events, collecting 10 wins, 25 top-five finishes, and 44 top 10s in 73 starts. The highlight: a victory in the 83rd Turkey Night Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner ever in the third-oldest race in the U.S.

After being named the 2022 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ronnie Day, to earn the 2023 King of the West 410 NARC championship. He also won the prestigious 2023 World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions.

In 2025, Day ran four pavement races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and three in ARCA.

“It’s a lot different than what I’m used to doing. There’s just so many differences,” Day said last year of transitioning from dirt to pavement.

As 2026 has shown, he’s a quick learner.

Not that he has abandoned the dirt. Like Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson, he still jumps into a sprint car whenever his schedule allows it. In 20 sprint car starts this year, he’s had seven victories and 11 tops 5s.