Hendrick Motorsports prospect Corey Day is not going anywhere. The team has signed him to a long-term contract extension.
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The championship-winning team announced the news Thursday and shared details about Day's future with the organization. This includes making his NASCAR Cup Series debut.
According to the press release, Day will return to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series next season on a full-time basis. He will compete once again for the drivers' championship while controlling the No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro.
Additionally, Day will run a limited Cup Series schedule next season. Hendrick Motorsports will provide more details about this schedule and the car that Day will drive at a later date.
It's just the beginning for @corey_day_.
Read more here: https://t.co/GJCXx1MV8K pic.twitter.com/5quNgwK7U6
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) September 10, 2026
A second-generation dirt driver, Day signed with Hendrick Motorsports as a development prospect on Dec. 6, 2024. The team then said in January 2025 that the California native would run across multiple series, including ARCA, the Trans-Am Series, the Craftsman Truck Series, and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Day has since moved full-time to the O'Reilly Series, winning twice. He broke through for his first win at Talladega Superspeedway, and then he won again at Dover Motor Speedway. He is currently fifth in the Chase standings after one race.
"There's no substitute for seat time, which makes Corey's progress even more impressive," said Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. "We see growth every weekend when he gets in the car.
"He puts in the work and isn't afraid to ask questions and apply what he learns. The Cup races next year will give him another opportunity to gain valuable experience and challenge himself at the highest level. It's going to be fun to watch."
Once viewed as the potential future driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet in the Cup Series, Day learned that Connor Zilisch would actually take over this entry in 2028. Yet, Hendrick Motorsports reiterated at the time that plans still remained for the young prospect.
Hendrick Motorsports said the team had no intention of letting Day out of the building, and they backed that up with a long-term extension.
"First of all, Corey Day is a tremendous talent, and our plan is for him to be in our future for a long time," Hendrick told media members in mid-August.
"People don't realize he's only been on pavement about half a year, and so it's going to be good to watch him grow. And we have plans for him that go well beyond the next couple of years.
"So when the timing's right, he'll move up. But for right now, Corey's learning. We want to run for the championship in the O'Reilly car next year, and so we're excited about him. I love the youth. I love the enthusiasm. I love the energy and the talent."
