Christopher Bell Chooses Rick Hendrick's Young Dirt Ace Over Veteran Rivals in Las Vegas Showdown

When Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon mention that someone is the real deal, it definitely catches your ear. Rick Hendrick once said this about his latest prodigy, Corey Day, and it seems like he is living up to the hype! At just 19 years old, Day has already made waves in the dirt racing scene, earning the respect of some of NASCAR’s biggest dirt racing legends, notably, the 3x Chili Bowl champion Christopher Bell.

During the pre-race press conference at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell, one of the sport’s top drivers, couldn’t help but sing Day’s praises. Bell, a three-time winner this Cup season, knows talent when he sees it. And for him to pick the young dirt maestro over seasoned veterans for success in the Craftsman Truck Series? That’s a bold statement worth exploring.

Christopher Bell views Corey Day as a burgeoning talent on the rise.

Growing up in a racing family, Corey Day’s journey into motorsports seemed almost inevitable. Hailing from Clovis, California, Day began his career on dirt bikes at a young age but shifted gears after breaking his arm at age 9. His father, Ronnie Day, a West Coast racing legend, introduced him to Sprint Cars. By 15, he became the youngest driver to win a USAC National Midget Series event at Circle City Raceway, setting the stage for a remarkable career. For 2025, he signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports as a development driver and currently drives for Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series, a team with a technical alliance to HMS.

Last year, Corey Day took part in his first Truck Series race at the Bristol Motor Speedway, starting from the 22nd position and finishing solidly in 18th place. In the following trio of competitions—held at Kansas, Homestead-Miami, and Martinsville—the outcomes mirrored this pattern closely. His highest placement came when he secured 16th spot at Homestead-Miami. Although these figures speak for themselves, Corey’s potential was unmistakable beyond mere statistics; they offered a tantalizing preview of what lies ahead. I wouldn’t be shocked if he enters the game and makes a huge impact... He definitely possesses the necessary skills. Bell clarified during the pre-race press briefing in Las Vegas

Christopher Bell, who comes from a background in dirt racing, notices many similarities between Corey Day’s journey and his own experience. What dirt racing imparts is... it instills the ability to rely on your instincts and master car control, Bell said. Day’s impressive 2023 season saw him clinched the King of the West Sprint Car Series Championship and the Make-A-Wish Trophy Cup , highlighting these attributes. His capacity to adjust and thrive on dirt circuits has led to comparisons with Bell and Kyle Larson.Kyle Larson has stated previously, “I don’t see anybody even close to his level, and he’s still in high school. He’s basically me. He’s better than I am, or I was obviously at that age.”

Bell’s faith in Day goes beyond mere natural ability; it’s equally due to his unwavering dedication to hard work. Throughout the year 2024, Day participated in 73 dirt track competitions, achieving 10 victories, placing within the top five in 25 races, and finishing among the top ten in 44 of them. He’s yet another driver emerging with a similar profile as me and Kyle [Larson], possessing considerable natural talent, Bell stated that this unyielding quest for superiority has not just established Day as an outstanding performer on dirt circuits but has also equipped him well for the trials encountered in stock car racing.

Day’s adaptability goes further than just dirt racing. In 2024, he participated in his inaugural NASCAR Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway under the guidance of JR Motorsports. To everyone's surprise, Day emerged victorious in his very first attempt. “It means a lot,” Day stated following the competition, giving credit to his team for assisting him with switching from dirt tracks to pavement racing.

Day secures pole position at Las Vegas

Corey Day’s star keeps ascending! On Friday evening at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he achieved yet another significant moment early in his career. During only his fifth race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the 19-year-old clinched his inaugural pole position for the Ecosave 200 with an impressive lap time of 30.388 seconds (177.702 mph), driving the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado. By outpacing experienced racers, Day solidified his reputation as a rising talent to keep an eye on.

“Oh man, I’m shaking,” After exiting his truck, Day stated. I've never really excelled at these things... so it's quite amazing to secure a pole position, He went on to say. Despite his modesty, he possesses an innate ability that has not gone unnoticed by prominent figures in motorsport such as Rick Hendrick. This achievement also serves as another milestone for Spire Motorsports, marking their sixth pole position in the Truck Series and highlighting the team’s expertise in developing promising newcomers.

Notably, Spire has recently attained pole positions with four distinct drivers in their latest races, which includes Rajah Caruth and Connor Zilisch. Day attributed this success to crew chief Brian Pattie for facilitating his role effectively. “easy” During qualifying, Tyler Ankrum takes the front row alongside Day after setting a remarkable lap at 177.602 mph in his McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet.

Even though Corey Day secured the pole position, he had a tough time during the race in Las Vegas, ending up in 27th place and falling two laps short of the leaders. The win was claimed by Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver, Corey Heim. Despite this setback, Day continues to chase after strong performances in the Truck Series. His ability to start with the pole position shows promise for his future success, which many anticipate will extend beyond just the Truck Series. What are your thoughts—do you foresee Corey Day competing in a Cup Series vehicle next year? Share your predictions below!

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