The road ahead
Corey Day, the 27‑year‑old prodigy who now pilots the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, has surprised many by turning down the coveted Cup Series seat that opened up after Alex Bowman's announced retirement at the end of the 2027 season.
While Connor Zilisch has been the name most frequently whispered in the garage as a potential successor to the No. 48 Chevrolet, Day made it clear that his immediate focus is not on a move to the premier series but on consolidating his position in the O'Reilly Auto Parts championship.
In a recent interview, Day emphasized that winning the 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series title is his primary objective, stating that he wants to “improve and compete for the championship by the end of the year.” He added that he feels more prepared for the challenges ahead than he ever imagined when he first entered the sport.
The veteran driver also took the opportunity to reflect on how far his career has come, noting that he never expected to be in a position where he could contemplate such ambitions just a few years ago. For now, the path he has chosen keeps him firmly rooted in the series that has been his professional home.