Corey Day ‘grateful’ for the opportunity to represent HMS in 2026

Corey Day is all set for a full-time season with Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He made 11 starts for the Concord, North Carolina-based race team, his best finish of P4 coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 11, 2025.

Day was excited as well as grateful for the opportunity. Driving full time for a championship-winning organization like Hendrick Motorsports has always been his dream.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

Corey Day will be joined by veteran crew chief Adam Wall atop the pit box. Last season, Wall took the No. 17 Chevy to three trips to the victory lane, three runner-up finishes, nine top fives, 10 top-10s, and three pole positions.

“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,” Day added.

Corey Day’s first race as a full-time driver for Hendrick Motorsports is scheduled for February 14, 2026. Named the United Rentals 300, the 120-lap event will be covered by CW, with live radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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HMS Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon weighs in on Corey Day’s dirt racing talent

Corey Day happens to be the youngest winner of the 83rd Turkey Night Grand Prix, an annual midget car race held traditionally at Ventura Raceway, California. In his 2025 campaign alone, the 19-year-old racing phenom captured a High Limit Racing triumph in Las Vegas, a World of Outlaws victory at Knoxville, and his third consecutive Gold Cup Race of Champions title.

Former NASCAR Cup Series champion and currently the Vice Chairman for Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon thinks that Corey Day’s driving attitude in NASCAR is a result of his success on dirt tracks.

“Every race that Corey has been in, he’s the first guy to start searching for different lines and different ways to pass,” Gordon said of Day. “He’s never afraid to try things.”

“I think that’s what gravitates us towards a dirt driver,” Gordon continued. “That’s a skill set that you can’t teach people. They have to get that experience, and usually it’s on dirt that they learn that. Once you learn that, you’re going to adapt to pavement and other types of cars.”

Last season, Corey Day took part in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign as well. His best performance was a runner-up finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park, which came in just his seventh start with HMS.