Corey Day, widely considered a Kyle Larson NASCAR protégé, achieved a remarkable victory at the Turkey Night Grand Prix, held at the Avondale Phoenix Raceway in Arizona on November 30, 2025. This win does more than add a trophy to his collection—it places Day among elite company in one of dirt racing’s most storied events, signaling a new era in grassroots motorsport excellence.
Intense Competition Pushes Day to the Limit
Kyle Larson is a household name in NASCAR and dirt racing, and his influence on the Turkey Night Grand Prix is legendary, claiming the event four times in the past. Now, his protégé, Corey Day, is shaping his own legacy at the event, following up last year’s victory with another hard-fought win that showed both resilience and adaptability.
This year’s Turkey Night Grand Prix challenged Day in unexpected ways. As he described in a post-race interview, the track conditions kept all the contenders guessing, with moisture lingering longer and giving rise to multiple viable racing lines. This unpredictability forced drivers to stay alert and react quickly throughout the intense 98-lap contest.
“That race was a little bit harder than it’s been in the past for me. Just the track stayed around a lot longer and there’s multiple lines open whereas years passed it was just one preferred line,”
Day explained.
“You’re damned if you don’t run bottom the whole race so you get passed on the top, you move on the top, you get passed around in the bottom.”
– Corey Day, Driver
Throughout the event, Day found himself locked in a fierce battle with Logan Seavey. The duo swapped the lead nine times, creating a spectacle that thrilled fans and heightened the drama. It wasn’t until lap 75 that Day decisively took the lead, holding it through to the checkered flag as pressure mounted in the final laps.
Demonstrating calm and poise despite the relentless competition, Day crossed the finish line ahead of Seavey and Buddy Kofoid. His ability to outmaneuver experienced drivers and adapt to shifting track dynamics showcased the maturity that makes him a standout among young racing talents.
Joining the Ranks of Turkey Night’s Greats
Corey Day’s latest triumph marks him as the youngest among just ten drivers in Turkey Night history to have won the event more than once. Adding further significance to the victory, Day had celebrated his 20th birthday just one day prior, making the achievement even more special for the driver and his supporters.
This milestone win cements his place among the event’s celebrated figures, including his mentor Kyle Larson and NASCAR star Christopher Bell. The Turkey Night Grand Prix, a race that has long served as a proving ground for future luminaries, has a new name etching itself into its legacy alongside legends and champions.
Mirroring Bell’s Back-to-Back Success
With consecutive Turkey Night wins, Day now joins Christopher Bell—a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and another standout in the NASCAR community—in this rare feat. Bell’s back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018 set a high standard for consistency and talent, and, notably, those wins were earned against top competitors, including Larson himself.
For Day, equaling Bell’s achievement at such a young age highlights his rapid ascent through the ranks. In racing circles, the comparison to Bell is often cited as a mark of emerging greatness, while the connection to Kyle Larson amplifies the story. Day’s growth as a driver has been shaped by Larson’s signature style, adaptability, and competitive spirit, and now he is finding ways to build upon—if not eventually surpass—those foundations established by his mentor.
Larson Faces New Spotlight as Protégé Shines
Kyle Larson, who has set the benchmark at Turkey Night with his four titles, entered this year’s event with high hopes after qualifying 14th. Despite moving steadily up the field and delivering a strong performance, Larson finished fourth behind his protégé, Corey Day, as well as Logan Seavey and Buddy Kofoid. The outcome not only emphasizes Day’s rise but also signals a generational shift with the protégé finding the upper hand in high-stakes situations.
For the Turkey Night Grand Prix community, the arrival of Day as a multi-time winner represents both the continuity and renewal of the event’s competitive spirit. Day’s consecutive wins, in the shadow of legends like Bell and Larson, have brought new excitement and anticipation to grassroots motorsport fans and intensified the spotlight on emerging talents within this fiercely competitive discipline.
Growing Legacy for Young Drivers
Corey Day’s back-to-back Turkey Night Grand Prix victories set a high bar for his peers and reinforce his reputation as a driver poised for continued success. By achieving these wins at such a young age and amidst challenging competition, Day demonstrates the qualities that define championship contenders—poise under pressure, strategic adaptability, and relentless pursuit of improvement.
As the dirt-racing community, fans, and industry experts reflect on the latest Turkey Night installment, Day’s accomplishment is certain to inspire up-and-coming drivers and energize the broader grassroots racing scene. The event’s legacy, enriched by historic performances from names like Bell, Larson, and now Day, suggests that the competitive narrative at the Turkey Night Grand Prix will only grow more compelling in the years to come.
