Corey Day’s rise through NASCAR’s development pipeline took another significant step Thursday as Hendrick Motorsports announced a long-term contract extension for the 20-year-old driver that includes plans for a limited NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2027.
The agreement keeps Day in the organization’s No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season, where he will chase a championship while also making his debut at NASCAR’s highest level. Details of his Cup schedule will be announced at a later date.
The announcement is another vote of confidence in a driver who only began his transition from dirt racing to pavement competition in 2024. Despite having fewer than 70 career pavement starts in full-bodied stock cars, Day has already won twice during his first full O’Reilly Series campaign and secured a place in the postseason.
“What Corey has accomplished in such a short time is remarkable,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “He came to us with generational talent but almost no experience racing on pavement. The fact that he’s already competing for a championship at this level is extraordinary, and he’s just beginning to scratch the surface.”
Day scored his first series victory at Talladega Superspeedway in April and followed it with a win at Dover Motor Speedway in May. He opened the 2026 Chase with a runner-up finish at Darlington Raceway and currently sits fifth in the championship standings.
“There’s no substitute for seat time, which makes Corey’s progress even more impressive,” vice chairman Jeff Gordon said. “We see growth every weekend when he gets in the car. The Cup races next year will give him another opportunity to gain valuable experience and challenge himself at the highest level.”
For Day, the extension represents validation from one of NASCAR’s premier organizations while providing a clear path toward a future Cup career.
“When I joined Hendrick Motorsports, I knew I had a lot to learn. And I still do,” Day said. “The people here have really embraced me and invested a lot of time in helping me grow, both as a driver and a person. I’m focused on winning a championship together this year and bringing many more trophies home to Hendrick Motorsports in the future.”
Day first signed with Hendrick Motorsports in December 2024. Less than two years later, the organization has committed to him for the long term and positioned one of stock car racing’s most promising young talents for his first taste of Cup Series competition.