CONCORD, N.C. Hot off a stellar season of open-wheel racing, Corey Day has signed a contract to race stock cars and trucks for Hendrick Motorsports.

Day, a 19-year-old second-generation driver from California, will run events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Series and Trans-Am Series with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com.

Day won eight High Limit Racing sprint car races last season and also captured the Trophy Cup, Dirt Cup and Turkey Night Grand Prix races.

When Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon say someone is the real deal, it certainly gets your attention, Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said. Corey comes from a great racing family and in a short time has shown a level of talent that sets him apart. What hes already accomplished at this point in his career speaks volumes, and its been impressive to see how quickly hes adapted to pavement. Were excited to welcome him to our team.

Day officially put pen to paper on Dec. 6, just one week clear of his birthday with NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, Jeff Gordon on hand. It was a bit of a full-circle moment for Day, who like Gordon, hails from California.

I can remember multiple times as a little kid, watching NASCAR races and crying because Jeff Gordon didnt win, Day recalled. So, to be sitting next to him signing a contract is just unbelievable.

Even prior to last year, Day had already registered some big victories. After being named the 2022 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ronnie Day, to earn the 2023 King of the West 410 NARC championship. That year, he also won the prestigious World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions.

Now, hell shift his focus to pavement where he dipped his toes in the water last year, running four races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and three in the ARCA Series. Day fully expects the move and the busy schedule to come with its own challenges but is confident heading into the year.

Its a lot different than what Im used to doing. Theres just so many differences, Day said. Its still a race car of course, and I dont get into it every time and forget how to drive them, but its just way different. Your positioning on the track is different. We turn right going around the corner (on dirt) because were sideways. We turn left on pavement. Just a lot of things but it was really good to get laps (in 2024) and at least not be completely fresh next year with such a big year ahead of me.

Its going to be a lot, of course, and Im trying to be as mentally prepared for it as possible and with the group of people I have around me to be able to ask questions to, really anything I need I dont have too many concerns. I know Im probably going to have a lot of questions. Theres going to be some things come up to where Im confused, but when youve got Jeff Gordon, Kyle Larson, Josh Wise (trainer) all these guys I can ask questions to, I think Im going to be OK.

And as for what series or event Day is most looking forward to?

All of them are circled. Im excited about all of them, he said. Im excited about the road course stuff, I havent gotten to do any of that. And then, excited to run an Xfinity car. To run an Xfinity car this early in my pavement career is something Im going to try my best at, for sure.