Corey Day, a developmental driver for Hendrick Motorsports, made a significant impression at the 2025 World of Outlaws World Finals. During the MicroLite Last Chance Showdown at the Charlotte dirt track, Day executed a daring late-race overtake, catching the attention of racing fans and fellow HMS prospect Rajah Caruth.
The 19-year-old driver, behind the wheel of the Jason Meyers Racing No. 14, performed back-to-back sliders to overtake Cale Thomas in the closing laps. This bold move earned Day a spot in the night’s feature race, where he charged from 21st to finish an impressive third.
Following the race, Day reflected on his performance, stating that he was pleased to see the track conditions and acknowledged the challenges his team faced due to poor qualifying. Despite this, Day expressed optimism about his car’s potential and the progress they are making.
The World Finals event featured three series: the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, the Real American Beer Late Models, and the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. Other notable winners included Rico Abreu, who captured his first-ever World Finals win in the Sprint Car feature, and Hudson O’Neal, who stole the Late Model race with a final-corner pass.
Day’s impressive display came just hours before Hendrick Motorsports announced that he would drive the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet full-time in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. This marks a significant step in Day’s rapid rise, having joined HMS late last year after demonstrating strong showings in both dirt and late model competition.
In 2025, Day made 11 Xfinity starts, earning two top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He also posted two top-5 finishes and a pole in the Craftsman Truck Series, showcasing his adaptability and potential. Day’s ability to transition between sprint cars and stock cars has drawn comparisons to his mentor, Kyle Larson, who seamlessly made the transition from dirt to NASCAR success.
With his full-time move to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Day is poised to build on his foundation and compete for a championship. His growing reputation as one of the most versatile young racers in NASCAR has garnered attention from the racing community, and his future prospects appear promising.