Standout racer Corey Day has signed a long-term contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports and will return to the NASCAR O’Reilly Series (NOAPS) full time in 2027 while also making his NASCAR Cup Series debut.
The agreement, signed Wednesday afternoon, will see Day compete for the NOAPS championship next season driving the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. He also will run a limited Cup Series schedule, with details to be announced at a later date.
A second-generation dirt racing star, Day made the transition to pavement in 2024. Although he has competed in fewer than 70 pavement races in full-bodied cars during his career, the 20-year-old has won twice in his first full NOAPS season and earned a berth in the postseason Chase.
“What Corey has accomplished in such a short time is remarkable,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “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 NOAPS victory April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway and followed with his second May 16 at Dover Motor Speedway. He opened the 2026 NOAPS Chase with a second-place finish Saturday at Darlington Raceway, moving to fifth in the championship standings.
“There’s no substitute for seat time, which makes Corey’s progress even more impressive,” said Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see growth every weekend when he gets in the car. He puts in the work and isn’t afraid to ask questions and apply what he learns. The Cup races next year will give him another opportunity to gain valuable experience and challenge himself at the highest level. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
A native of Clovis, California, Day first signed with Hendrick Motorsports on Dec. 6, 2024. The 2027 NOAPS campaign will mark his second full season driving the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.
“When I joined Hendrick Motorsports, I knew I had a lot to learn. And I still do,” Day said. “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.”
— Hendrick Motorsports —