BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 11: Corey Day 17 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet watches the action from pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA O Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 on April 11, 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR OReilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604112018300

May 3, 2026, 3:35 AM CUT

Corey Day Explains Early Texas Setback After Talladega Victory Run

Corey Day’s momentum hit the wall at Texas Motor Speedway. Following a breakthrough victory at Talladega, the Hendrick Motorsports driver saw his race end on the very first lap. Day later explained the Turn 2 incident that sidelined the #17 car early.

During the Andy's Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway, Day qualified in 6th place for the race on Saturday. However, his day was cut short after a hard crash at the turn 2 wall on lap 1.

He had started the race in the outside lane but lost control of the #17 Hendrick Motorsports car. “I'm not sure if the track is just dirty up there from Cup qualifying, you know, those guys just running up there, or if I just overstepped at the corner too hard; I'm not sure," said Corey Day

"I really, really didn't feel like I ran too fast of a corner over the limit of my race car, but apparently I did," Day said while talking to Frontstretch.

When questioned if he thought the car was fast, he responded, saying, “I thought it was going to be super good based off practice yesterday, so it's really unfortunate didn't get to see how it played out."

The Texas race may have been a minor setback in his journey to becoming a NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) champion. The HMS driver has been hailed as a championship contender by Dale Earnhardt Jr. after his recent win at Talladega.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives his opinion on Corey Day’s recent success.

After claiming his maiden win after 21 starts in the series, Day has been in the spotlight. The HMS driver struggled early in the season but has been able to bounce back from the same.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was among those who took notice of the victory. Dale Jr. spoke about how it could not just be a year of development for Day but might also be in contention for a championship.

“Corey Day is a championship contender. I’m gonna say it. Corey Day is figuring it out and he is going to be a handful later in this season for all these guys that are trying to go win a championship. He’s going to be in the conversation, for sure,” Earnhardt Jr. said.

Corey Day currently sits in fourth place in the drivers' championship with a 198-point deficit to Dale Jr.'s driver, Justin Allgaier, in first.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi