Corey Day made a stunning impression by claiming second place in his first dirt racing experience at the Perth Motorplex, coming from the back of the field and integrating his dirt racing expertise. The highly watched Corey Day dirt racing debut highlighted the Californian’s adaptability, marking an extraordinary moment in his growing motorsports career.
Rising Through the Ranks With a Spectacular First Outing
Competing for Hendrick Motorsports as a rookie, Day tackled a demanding event that featured a nonstop run against 26 other seasoned drivers. His exceptional performance at Perth’s dirt track adds to his recent list of achievements, establishing him as a burgeoning talent ahead of his rookie campaign in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season. Corey Day’s journey into the dirt arena follows a string of notable victories, including his back-to-back wins at the Turkey Night Grand Prix held at Ventura Raceway in California. This achievement set him apart, making him the first to repeat as champion at the event since Christopher Bell. Fellow competitor Kyle Larson, though present in the same race, was unable to secure a finish inside the top five.
In Australia’s High Limit Racing debut, Day started in the 28th spot and soared up the order, ultimately finishing just 2.7 seconds behind Michael Kofoid, a two-time USAC National Midget Champion. Reacting to his breathtaking debut, Day shared,
“First night in the books down under, and it was a wild one. P28 👉 P2 in a non stop feature. Ready to go with High Limit starting Sunday.”
– Corey Day, Driver
Looking Ahead: International Competition and High Stakes
Corey Day’s run at the Perth Motorplex is only the beginning, as he is set to participate with High Limit International in FloRacing’s marquee dirt race. This much-anticipated three-day event features high-profile names, with Kyle Larson looking to defend his championship in a sprint car contest offering $110,000 to the winner. Racing action is scheduled from Sunday through Tuesday, drawing global attention to the competitive dirt racing scene.
The Value of Dirt Racing Roots in Corey Day’s NASCAR Ascent
Jeff Gordon has publicly emphasized Corey Day’s background in dirt racing as a pivotal reason for his selection to join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2026 season, citing the unique adaptability that dirt racers possess. Gordon explained,
“Every race that Corey has been in, he’s the first guy to start searching for different lines and different ways to pass. He’s never afraid to try things. I think that’s what gravitates us towards a dirt driver. That’s a skill set that you can’t teach people. They have to get that experience, and usually it’s on dirt that they learn that. Once you learn that, you’re going to adapt to pavement and other types of cars,”
Gordon said. – Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports
For Day, the chance to drive for Hendrick Motorsports holds deep personal significance, fueled by years of dedication and hard work. He expressed his readiness and enthusiasm, stating,
“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.”
– Corey Day, Driver
Rookie Season Expectations and Ongoing Progress
Day will head up the No.17 team under veteran crew chief Adam Wall’s guidance in the coming season. His part-time record with Hendrick Motorsports already includes two top-ten finishes, with his best being a fourth-place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Despite these achievements, Day’s qualifying results remain an area for growth, with only two top-ten starting positions—one at Martinsville Speedway and another at Charlotte Roval—both times ending up outside the top twenty by race finish.
The momentum built from Corey Day’s dirt racing successes and international debut positions him as a notable figure to watch in upcoming events. As he continues to refine his skills in both dirt and pavement disciplines, his evolving career will have significant implications for the future of Hendrick Motorsports and the wider world of NASCAR and sprint car racing.
First night in the books down under, and it was a wild one. P28 👉 P2 in a non stop feature. Ready to go with High Limit starting Sunday. pic.twitter.com/gsbM5sYwXl
— Corey Day (@corey_day_) December 26, 2025
