The NASCAR Xfinity Series is about to welcome a returning name with international credentials, as Alon Day prepares to compete at Portland International Raceway in 2025. Day will drive the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing in a race that brings global intrigue to one of the series’ most technical road courses. With fans on both sides of the Atlantic watching, the story of Day’s return is more than just a race entry—it’s a moment of resilience, ambition, and untapped potential.
Key Highlights
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Alon Day to pilot Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 24 Toyota GR Supra at Portland.
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Day is a four-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion with over 30 wins.
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Portland will be his first Xfinity Series race since 2024.
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The technical PIR layout plays to Day’s road course strengths.
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SHR continues to highlight international and versatile driving talent.
Alon Day: Champion Racer with Global Credentials
Alon Day’s motorsport journey spans continents, disciplines, and challenges. As a four-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion, Day has cemented himself as the most successful driver in the history of that competition. His titles in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022 were earned through dominant performances and a mastery of stock car behavior on European road circuits.
Day’s versatility isn’t limited to European platforms. He has previously raced in the top three tiers of NASCAR, including Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series events since 2016. These ventures, though limited in number, showcased his willingness to test himself against the best in the sport, often on unfamiliar terrain and equipment. From Watkins Glen to Mid-Ohio, and from ovals to temporary street circuits, Day has maintained a consistent reputation: fast, focused, and always formidable on a road course.
In 2025, Day has already competed in the ARCA Menards Series, where his road racing capabilities have translated into a runner-up finish at Lime Rock Park and another top-five effort earlier in the year. These results reaffirm his readiness to return to NASCAR’s national stage and confront the technical challenges posed by Portland.
Sam Hunt Racing’s Bold Strategy for Portland
Sam Hunt Racing has carved a reputation in the Xfinity Series as a launchpad for emerging and diverse talents. Their dual-car program—with the No. 26 operated full-time by Dean Thompson and the No. 24 rotating among select drivers—has seen entries from names like Christopher Bell, Ryan Truex, and Kaz Grala in 2025 alone.
Keeping our No. 24 team busy! 🔥 @Alon_Day will strap into the No. 24 JSSI GR Supra at Portland #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/19xBTbhPAn
— Sam Hunt Racing (@Team_SHR26) July 23, 2025
Alon Day’s inclusion at Portland underscores SHR’s commitment to international talent and calculated driver placement. Known for leveraging driver strengths with track demands, SHR is utilizing Day’s proven road course expertise in a setting that rewards finesse, control, and adaptability.
The 1.97-mile, 12-turn circuit at Portland International Raceway is notoriously unforgiving. With fast corners, heavy braking zones, and tight run-off areas, it levels the playing field by placing the emphasis squarely on driver ability. In this context, Day’s deep road course résumé becomes not just an asset, but a strategic weapon.
What Makes Portland a Fitting Battlefield?
Portland International Raceway is a jewel in the road racing calendar. Once a staple of CART and Champ Car, and now a key fixture in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, PIR has gained renown for demanding technical precision. Every lap challenges drivers with sharp chicanes, long braking zones, and limited overtaking areas.
This will be Alon Day’s first stock car start at PIR, but his extensive experience with similar tracks across Europe and the ARCA schedule should mitigate any learning curve. Past Xfinity starts for Day have included races at Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio, where speed was evident but luck and mechanical gremlins interfered.
His 2024 campaign ended prematurely after a crash during practice at the Chicago Street Course. That setback, however, has only sharpened the focus heading into 2025. With Sam Hunt Racing fielding competitive machinery and a deep understanding of road course preparation, the ingredients are present for Day to deliver a breakout performance.
Can Day Defy the Odds?
Day’s challenges at Portland are not insignificant. He enters the race with limited seat time in Xfinity equipment compared to the field’s regular contenders. Strategic execution, tire conservation, and in-race adaptability will be crucial—especially if incidents or caution periods disrupt the flow of the 147-mile contest.
Nevertheless, there are tangible strengths that work in Day’s favor:
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Road Course Mastery: With over 30 wins in EuroNASCAR and a history of success in ARCA’s road course events, Day knows how to extract performance on tracks like PIR.
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Racecraft Under Pressure: Years of dueling in close quarters on technical tracks have honed Day’s ability to execute passes and manage pace in traffic.
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Motivation and Resilience: From narrowly escaping war earlier in the year to rebuilding his season with ARCA results, Day’s determination is unwavering.
A strong showing in Portland could shift narratives—not just about Alon Day, but about international participation in NASCAR’s national ranks. For Sam Hunt Racing, it would reinforce their role as a progressive, dynamic team unafraid to challenge conventions.
News in Brief: Alon Day Returns to NASCAR at Portland
Alon Day is set to compete in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway, driving the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. Day, a four-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion, brings international acclaim and road course prowess to one of the season’s most technical events. With a background in European and American stock car racing, he joins SHR’s rotating driver lineup for this key entry.
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