Hendrick Motorsports has announced that Corey Day, a 19-year-old California native, will become their full-time driver of the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, marking a major Hendrick Motorsports driver announcement. The decision follows Day’s breakout season and signals a new chapter for the team’s development vision in Xfinity competition.
Corey Day Secures Full-Time Role After Promising Debut
Corey Day earned his shot at a full-time ride after an impressive introductory year, completing 11 Xfinity Series starts for Hendrick Motorsports’ multi-driver program in 2025. He quickly grabbed attention with a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas, showing rapid improvement on asphalt circuits. Team principal Rick Hendrick spoke highly of Day’s calmness and aptitude, highlighting qualities that set him apart among emerging drivers.
“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.”
– Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
Day’s adaptation extended beyond Xfinity. He also ran nine Truck Series races, recording a pole position and a second-place finish, while taking part in other events within the Hendrick Motorsports umbrella. His ability to cross between dirt and pavement highlighted his readiness for top-tier competition.
Hendrick Motorsports Shifts Its Development Approach
The appointment of Day as a full-time driver for the No. 17 entry marks a strategic change for Hendrick Motorsports. Previously, the team’s Xfinity program utilized a rotating cast of drivers in 2025, mixing Cup veterans like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman with up-and-comers including Jake Finch, Rajah Caruth, and Day. This blend resulted in notable achievements: two victories, three poles, and 10 top-10 finishes across just 21 starts. The shared feedback and consistency made the No. 17 team a reliable development platform.
For 2026, moving to a dedicated driver model with Day behind the wheel indicates a major shift in the organization’s developmental philosophy. The adjustment aligns the team with NASCAR’s broader push to highlight rising stars under the revamped O’Reilly Auto Parts Series name. The move coincides with the driver’s 20th birthday and symbolizes an increased investment by Hendrick Motorsports in building future Cup Series contenders.
“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.”
– Corey Day, Driver
A Unique Journey: From Dirt Racing to National Spotlight
Corey Day’s path diverges from the traditional stock car ladder. The teenager made his name on the dirt circuits, where his 2024 campaign was especially impressive: ten wins, 25 top-five placements, and 44 finishes inside the top 10 from 73 starts. Those numbers were capped by his milestone as the youngest victor of the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix in U.S. midget competition.
Day carried his dynamic racing calendar into 2025, balancing Xfinity and Truck events with stints in Trans-Am road races and the High Limit Sprint Car Series. Esteemed Cup driver Kyle Larson, himself a California product with a multidimensional background, has voiced support for Day’s advancement through the sport.
The decision to add Day full-time is also a reflection of Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews’s vision for the organization’s ongoing engagement in NASCAR’s secondary series. Andrews has consistently championed the value of boosting young drivers and increasing talent diversity within the Xfinity ranks.
“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.”
– Jeff Andrews, Team President
The No. 17 Team’s Role in Nurturing Talent
Revived in 2022 after a decade-long pause, Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 17 Chevrolet has become central to its strategic development philosophy. Crew chief Adam Wall and general manager Greg Ives have built the program into a unique proving ground. By combining top-tier resources with a flexible driver roster, the team has offered prospects like Corey Day and Rajah Caruth space to develop, while letting full-time Cup drivers steer development and share expertise.
In 2025, the car’s roster read like a microcosm of Hendrick’s future: established Cup names, breakout talents, and energetic newcomers. The team’s results—marked by top finishes and competitive qualifying—demonstrated how vital the shared seat program was for transitioning drivers to NASCAR’s top level. With Day’s promotion, the focus now moves to continuity and deeper development, as the team aims to prepare him as a long-term championship contender.
What the Future Holds for Corey Day and Hendrick Motorsports
Corey Day’s rapid progress points to a bright outlook for both the driver and his team. With his versatile experience, from dominating on dirt to adapting quickly to stock cars, Day stands out among NASCAR’s most promising new faces. His next step—leading the No. 17 through a season as its solo full-time driver—will test his ability to capitalize on Hendrick Motorsports’ investments in talent and resources.
The organization’s decision also reinforces its commitment to cultivating the next wave of championship threats, particularly as NASCAR reshapes its secondary series to spotlight newcomers. Day, along with figures like Adam Wall, Greg Ives, and mentors including Kyle Larson, represents the bridge between dirt specialists, new-generation contenders, and multi-surface competitors aiming for Cup Series glory.
As Day turns 20 and prepares for his full-time debut, his trajectory embodies the optimism and passion fueling Hendrick Motorsports’ continued presence at the front of the NASCAR field. The team’s faith in younger drivers, paired with dedicated support from both seasoned veterans and organizational leadership, ensures the 2026 season will be closely watched as a harbinger of what’s to come for both Day and the sport’s next generation.
