LAS VEGAS — In contrast to conventional wisdom, Corey Day’s best NASCAR national series races have come at night.
Hence, why Corey Day’s best NASCAR Xfinity Series race came Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
A fourth-place finish is the strongest run yet for the young convert to the endurance-focused world of stock cars from the short and snappy dirt-slinging world of sprint cars.
“It’s such a different style of racing. I was a little bit off after that green flag cycle and you just have to settle in, wait for another caution and adjust. The racing I come from is 30 laps and what you got is what you got… I learned a lot. Managed my race really well and had a great car,” Day said.
Day started 19th but worked his way up to ninth at the end of the second stage on lap 90 of 201. Deep into the long green flag run in the final stage, Day jumped to sixth. Then, after a caution with 28 to go and a restart four laps later, he took fifth and then fourth, passing playoff qualifiers Jesse Love and Nick Sanchez.
“I think I fired after the green flag cycle a little tight. We picked it back up after the caution. The seas parted for me in the turns and we moved through,” Day said.
While Day’s 2026 plans aren’t completely set yet, runs like Las Vegas help validate the support he has received from Jeff Gordon, Kyle Larson and every team member whom TRE saw pat him on the back on after the race.
“It’s big. It’s always good to know the hard work you’re putting in is paying off,” Day said.
“Best Xfinity run for sure.”
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com