Hendrick Motorsports had seen enough from Corey Day. After two wins and a Chase berth in his first full-time season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history decided to lock its guy in.
On Thursday afternoon, Hendrick Motorsports announced that it had reached terms on a long-term deal, which will keep the 20-year-old Day in the Hendrick Motorsports pipeline for years to come. As part of the agreement, Day will return to the No. 17 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season, and he’ll drive a part-time effort in the NASCAR Cup Series as well.
Hendrick Motorsports has yet to reveal the details tied to Day’s 2027 NASCAR Cup Series plans, but the team says all will be revealed at another date.
Day appreciates what his race team has done for him from a growth standpoint in his short time driving stock cars on paved surfaces. The dirt racing prodigy is excited to continue his journey in the NASCAR National Series ranks with HMS next season.
“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.”
When Hendrick Motorsports added Connor Zilisch as the driver of its No. 48 Chevrolet for the 2028 season and beyond, many wondered what that meant for Day’s future. Hendrick Motorsports shut down any of those worries on Thursday afternoon.
While Day has shown the ability to win, he’s also been very cool under the microscope this season, which made the decision to extend the driver long-term an easy one for Hendrick Motorsports.
“What Corey has accomplished in such a short time is remarkable,” said Rick Hendrick, owner ofHendrick 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 scored his first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win earlier this season at Talladega Superspeedway, and he followed that up with a win at Dover Motor Speedway a month later.
He’s been impressive, but Day is just getting started.
“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.”
Day sits fifth in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings after the opening race of the Chase at Darlington Raceway, an event in which Day finished runner-up.
