Corey Day made an unforgettable entrance with his dirt racing debut at Perth Motorplex, finishing second after starting 28th in a thrilling nonstop feature. This remarkable performance not only showcased his dirt track skills but also solidified his reputation ahead of joining Hendrick Motorsports, drawing attention to the highly anticipated Corey Day dirt racing debut.
Strong Second Place from the Back of the Pack
California’s Corey Day, representing Hendrick Motorsports as a rookie, immediately impressed the racing world by advancing from the 28th starting position to claim the runner-up spot. In his first experience at the Perth dirt track, Day battled through a field of 26 competitors, crossing the finish line just 2.7 seconds behind Michael Kofoid, a two-time USAC National Midget Champion. Reflecting on the event, Day shared his excitement and readiness for the next challenge:
“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
This outstanding display comes as Day finishes a dominant season, including his historic back-to-back victories at the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway—a feat not seen since Christopher Bell won consecutive titles. Although Kyle Larson also competed at Ventura, he was unable to break into the top five, further highlighting Day’s achievement.
Preparation for High Limit International and Major Events
Following his impressive run in Australia, Corey Day will now set his sights on the upcoming FloRacing’s High Limit International dirt race. The event is scheduled as a three-day contest from Sunday to Tuesday, offering one of the richest prizes in sprint car racing at $110,000 for first place. Notably, Kyle Larson will be defending his title, and Day is expected to pose a major challenge given his recent performances.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Faith in a Dirt Racing Background
Corey Day’s potential has not gone unnoticed within NASCAR circles. Jeff Gordon, a prominent voice at Hendrick Motorsports, highlighted Day’s roots in dirt racing as a critical factor in his long-term signing for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series set for 2026. Gordon underscored the unique attributes that dirt racers bring to the team’s lineup:
“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
Day acknowledged the opportunity with gratitude and ambition, 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
Recent Stats and Future Road Ahead
Corey Day will lead the No.17 team under veteran crew chief Adam Wall next year, leveraging his strong momentum and experience. In eleven part-time starts for Hendrick, Day has already secured two top-10 finishes, with his strongest placement being fourth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While he has faced challenges in qualifying—breaking into the top 10 only twice, at Martinsville Speedway and Charlotte Roval—he continues to build valuable experience as one of NASCAR’s rising talents.
With a powerful debut at Perth Motorplex, growing success on dirt tracks, and support from key figures like Jeff Gordon and Adam Wall, Corey Day is set for a remarkable journey in both High Limit events and his full-time drive with Hendrick Motorsports. His relentless drive and adaptability are expected to have a lasting impact as he joins a new wave of dirt racers making headlines on the national stage.
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
