Corey Day delivered a standout performance in the High Limit International at Perth Motorplex on December 28, claiming his first sprint car win on Australian soil. The 19-year-old American racer expertly fended off local rival Kaiden Manders on Night 1, securing victory in a defining moment for both his career and the event’s opening night. The Corey Day High Limit International triumph underscores his growing reputation among sprint car enthusiasts and industry insiders.
Sensational Start Sets the Pace for Perth
The first night of racing at the 0.31-mile Perth Motorplex saw a packed crowd witness a dramatic contest featuring 24 top-tier international drivers. The track conditions shifted frequently throughout the race, demanding skillful adaptation and strategy. Corey Day navigated the changing dirt surface with patience, making timely moves in heavy traffic and adjusting his approach at each key moment. This calculated driving earned him recognition as one of the sport’s most promising talents.
Building Momentum: From Boxing Day to Victory Lane
Day arrived in Western Australia after competing since Boxing Day, showing impressive form by climbing from 28th to 2nd during the Friday heats. Despite this strong drive, the team identified areas to adjust for longer races. On Saturday, Day’s tactical decisions paid off, as he showed adaptability to altered track conditions. When discussing his connection with the circuit, Day stated:
“T his place is just awesome. It just suits my style really well. Definitely a different track tonight than we had on Boxing Day. So, good to know we got our car good in both of those conditions… It just gets tricky there in lap traffic when you get to them and you lose your clean air and your race car starts working a little worse.”
– Corey Day, Driver
Key Moments from a Riveting Feature Race
The preliminary 30-lap feature, offering a $15,000 AUD prize to the winner, headlined the opening program alongside Maddington Toyota Sprintcars and preceded other events like the Total Tools Rockingham Speedcars Esslinger Triple Crown. Piloting the U3 Williams Motorsports car, Day took the start from the outside of the second row. Local favorite Kaiden Manders grabbed the early lead from pole, maintaining control for the first eight laps before Day methodically advanced through the field.
By the ninth circuit, Day used the wide, fast lanes to surpass Manders and take control of the race. Manders, determined to reclaim the spot, pounced during traffic on lap 22 and briefly regained the advantage. However, Day managed to regroup, found cleaner air, and moved back in front soon after. The closing laps were marked by calm execution rather than aggression, with Day holding a defensive line and denying Manders a final opportunity to overtake. Reflecting on the fierce competition, Day acknowledged his primary challenger, saying:
“Man, hats off to the 71 (Kaiden Manders) here. He kept me honest for sure,” Day said. “I did my best to stay in clean air and keep it rolling, but it’s really hard to win when the track is this wide. There are so many grooves you can run.”
– Corey Day, Driver
Day crossed the finish line to secure the $15,000 AUD victory—approximately $10,075 USD—with Manders finishing second and Dayne Kingshott rounding out the podium.
Day’s Adaptability and International Ambitions
Corey Day’s reputation is based on his versatility across various racing disciplines, including dirt sprint cars, the Xfinity Series, Trucks, and Trans-Am. Known for his consistent approach regardless of the vehicle or venue, Day is set to drive the No.17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet full-time in the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. For now, he continues to impress on tracks abroad, making the most of his Australian adventure at Perth Motorplex.
Anticipation Builds for the Remainder of the High Limit International
The High Limit International will continue with two more nights of high-stakes racing. Night Two, scheduled for December 29, features another $15,000-to-win preliminary in the Maddington Toyota Sprintcars program, followed by a Late Model competition. The climactic Main Event on December 30 offers a massive $110,000 AUD purse. The night also includes Formula 500s action and the City of Kwinana Monster Fireworks spectacular. Last year’s finale saw Kyle Larson capture the main prize, a result that established the Perth Motorplex as a premier international dirt track event outside the United States.
What This Means for Australian Sprint Car Racing
Corey Day’s High Limit International breakthrough not only marks a personal milestone but also highlights the international appeal of sprint car racing at venues like Perth Motorplex. With established names like Kaiden Manders and new faces elevating the level of competition, Australian dirt track events continue to attract global attention, setting the stage for thrilling battles in the remaining nights of the series.
“This place is just awesome.” 🙌🏼@Corey_Day_ reacted to his first victory in Australia after topping Sunday’s High Limit International prelim at @PerthMotorplex. pic.twitter.com/hIOzyCeewd
— High Limit Racing (@HighLimitRacing) December 28, 2025
