At the latest High Limit sprint car event held at Perth Motorplex in Australia, Rick Hendrick NASCAR rising star Corey Day delivered a performance that left the crowd in disbelief, surging from a daunting 28th starting spot to secure a runner-up finish in his debut appearance. While Michael Kofoid secured the historic $110,000 AUD victory, it was Day’s spectacular charge through the field that turned Larson’s familiar playground into a showcase for the next big NASCAR talent.
Kyle Larson, the established Hendrick Motorsports driver and previous winner at the venue, had made headlines with a major sprint car triumph in 2024, but this time the story belonged to the upstart. Against a stacked field that included 11 American drivers, Day’s relentless advance over 30 nonstop laps displayed both his raw racing instincts and capacity to compete against seasoned veterans on a global stage.
Kofoid, arriving after a dominant 2025 season with 13 victories—including major wins at Huset’s High Bank Nationals, Eagle Nationals with High Limit Racing, Ironman 55 at I-55, and the World Finals in Charlotte—executed when the stakes were highest. Yet even on this night of record prize money, it was clear to fans and competitors alike that Day had “stolen the show” with a sensational pursuit from the very back of the grid.
“@MichaelKofoid wins the race, but @Corey_Day_ steals the show. A 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 drive from 28th-to-2nd in 30 nonstop laps! @PerthMotorplex continually provides WORLD-CLASS action.”
— High Limit Racing (@HighLimitRacing)
Day’s effort immediately set social media buzzing, leapfrogging official results and prize money by igniting conversations about what he could achieve in full-time NASCAR action. His strong showing comes on the heels of an 11-race NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign in 2025 with Hendrick Motorsports, as well as a confirmed 2026 step up to full-time competition in the recently rechristened NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. For Australian fans and viewers worldwide, Day’s stint offered a preview of what American stock car audiences have already begun to witness—the rise of a remarkable talent ready to make his presence felt on the sport’s biggest stages.
Kofoid’s victory and an elevated international field
Michael Kofoid’s headline-grabbing win at Perth Motorplex added another milestone to a career marked by major triumphs and relentless consistency. The $110,000 AUD purse not only set a new high-water mark for sprint car racing down under, eclipsing last year’s $100,000 payout, but also reflected the rising international profile of top-flight dirt racing.
With 11 American drivers—the likes of Kofoid, Brad Sweet, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Cole Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Justin Whittall, Xavier Doney, and Corey Day—making the trip, the event brought together a diverse and accomplished group, raising competitive standards and fan interest alike. In this field, it was Kofoid who continued his 2025 streak of dominant performances and big-race composure, reinforcing his reputation as a clutch competitor when substantial stakes are on the line.
Yet, amid these big numbers, the post-race talk centered on Day’s meteoric run and the significance of his display for both his own upward trajectory and the global reach of American racing. While Kofoid controlled victory lane, Day claimed the buzz, showing that the narrative sometimes shifts from who wins the trophy to who seizes the moment.
The presence of established stars and versatile up-and-comers in Perth underlines the increasingly international character of elite racing. For Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports, the emergence of a new American talent in such an environment only amplifies expectations for the seasons ahead.
Day’s developmental path with Hendrick Motorsports
Corey Day’s journey to the top ranks of NASCAR, and his role as the Rick Hendrick NASCAR rising star, has been anything but straightforward. Turning 20, Day stands ready to pilot the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet full-time in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, building on a fiercely competitive and nomadic 2025 season across multiple disciplines.
His rise has come through a demanding mix of NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, ARCA, Trans-Am TA2 events, and sprint car showdowns—a schedule designed to push any prospect to the edge. As he accumulated seat time, Day made his share of errors, a reality he openly acknowledges, but each misstep contributed vital experience and race craft.
“I’d say the first half of the season was tough for sure because I was just making all the stupid mistakes which, unfortunately, you kind of need to make those,”
— Corey Day, Driver
Evidence of rapid growth emerged as the calendar progressed. A season-best fourth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway helped reinforce his Xfinity Series credentials, while consistent top-15 runs down the stretch signaled the maturation of his approach. In the Truck Series, Day flirted with victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park and tallied multiple late-season top-fives, further enhancing his reputation.
A major shift occurred as Day adapted his style, trading the all-out urgency of 30-lap dirt sprints for the measured discipline demanded by national NASCAR events—pit strategy, tire management, and execution over extended distances all came increasingly to the fore. Guiding this transition has been crew chief Adam Wall, whose return in 2026 ensures Day will benefit from the stability that was sometimes lacking amid his event-packed 2025 schedule.
Perhaps most symbolically, Day’s presence alongside Rick Hendrick and observing Kyle Larson clinch Hendrick Motorsports’ 15th Cup Series championship at Phoenix offered a glimpse of the high standards and championship pedigree he continues to absorb. These experiences, both on and off track, signal readiness for the opportunity ahead.
What Day’s charge means for the future
The energy and intensity surrounding Corey Day’s leap from 28th to 2nd at Perth Motorplex delivers a clear message—he isn’t just a promising driver within the Rick Hendrick system; he is a rising force on the world stage, fully capable of dazzling at the highest level. By overcoming a challenging start to his season, learning from diverse disciplines, and adapting to the demands of both American and international competition, Day has honed a unique edge rarely found in young drivers.
As he transitions into a full-time ride with Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the lessons learned from dirt to asphalt, from late-night sprints to big-stage showdowns, will serve as the foundation for his next chapter. For Rick Hendrick, crew chief Adam Wall, and an enthusiastic fan base, Day’s latest performance is not simply an amazing moment but a launching point for greater successes ahead. The motorsports community, from Perth to Phoenix and beyond, will be watching closely as a new era unfolds for both Corey Day and American racing at large.
.@MichaelKofoid wins the race, but @Corey_Day_ steals the show.
A 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 drive from 28th-to-2nd in 30 nonstop laps!@PerthMotorplex continually provides WORLD-CLASS action.
— High Limit Racing (@HighLimitRacing) December 26, 2025
