Hendrick Motorsports makes a big announcement for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series featuring a top prodigy

Hendrick Motorsports confirmed on Thursday, November 7, that 19-year-old Corey Day will drive the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet full-time in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity Series).

The announcement has come after a season of steady growth for Day, who made 11 Xfinity starts in 2025 as part of the organization’s multi-driver program. The California native’s strong debut year includes a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas.

Team owner Rick Hendrick praised the young driver’s natural adaptability and mindset, saying Day has shown maturity beyond his experience level.

“Corey impressed us with how quickly he adapted this year,” Hendrick said in the team’s announcement. “He’ll go into 2026 with less pavement experience than anyone in the field, but you’d never know it by watching him drive. The instincts and raw talent are off the charts, and he’s going to keep getting better with more seat time. Corey has a tremendous future, and we’re proud to have him represent HendrickCars.com.”

Across his limited 2025 Xfinity schedule, Corey Day quickly adjusted to life on asphalt. He made nine Truck Series starts, earning one pole position and a runner-up finish, while competing in multiple other categories under the Hendrick banner.

The decision to promote him marks Hendrick Motorsports’ latest investment in its long-term driver pipeline. Day, who turns 20 next month, credited the organization for helping him make the leap from dirt to stock cars.

“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. “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. 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.”

The No. 17 Chevrolet program, which was revived by Hendrick Motorsports in 2022 after more than a decade, has been central to the team’s development structure. Under the leadership of crew chief Adam Wall and general manager Greg Ives, the entry has balanced Cup-level resources with a rotation of younger prospects.

(L-R) Kyle Larson, Rajah Caruth, and Corey Day at Homestead Miami. Source: Getty

In 2025, the car featured Hendrick Motorsports’ full-time Cup drivers Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman, alongside emerging names like Jake Finch, Rajah Caruth, and Day himself. Together, the lineup delivered two wins, three poles, and 10 top-10 finishes in just 21 races. The consistency of results and shared feedback model has turned the No. 17 into an ideal bridge between the Cup operation and Hendrick Motorsports’ next generation of talent.

Day’s full-time entry marks a change in that structure. For the first time since the program’s return, Hendrick Motorsports will field a single dedicated driver for the No. 17 entry in 2026, signaling a shift from part-time rotation to full developmental commitment. The move also aligns with NASCAR’s push to spotlight emerging talent under the rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series banner next season.

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Corey Day’s diverse racing path and rise through Hendrick Motorsports

Corey Day at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 04, 2025. Source: Getty

Corey Day’s route to NASCAR is unlike most of his peers. The California teenager built a reputation as one of dirt racing’s most versatile young drivers. His 2024 campaign included 10 victories, 25 top-five finishes, and 44 top-10s across 73 starts. That same year, he made history by becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix in U.S. midget racing.

In 2025, Day juggled a packed calendar that showcased his range. Apart from Trucks and Xfinity, he raced in Trans-Am road courses and the High Limit Sprint Car Series. Kyle Larson, a fellow Californian and one of the sport’s most versatile drivers, was among the first to endorse him.

Team president Jeff Andrews recently reflected on the importance of expanding the team’s involvement in NASCAR’s second tier.

“I think the competition level in [Xfinity] is good,” Andrews said, via NASCAR. “From our perspective, it needs to grow. We need some more young talent in that series — young men and women who have their eye on the Cup Series. We feel like being a part of that and having the opportunity to bring some of those younger names to the Xfinity Series now and in the future only benefits that series.”

Day's multi-surface experience and composure have already positioned him as one of the sport’s most promising young names in American motorsports.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam