I Dig Sports
MOORESVILLE, N.C. Spire Motorsports will field HendrickCars.com Chevrolets in select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races for open-wheel standout and Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day.
Day, 19, will compete in four ARCA Menards Series races behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet beginning with the Feb. 15 Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. In preparation for the event, Day will participate in the Jan. 9-10 ARCA Series test at the World Center of Racing.
In addition to the four-race ARCA slate, Day will compete in eight Craftsman Truck Series races behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado. HendrickCars.com will serve as Days primary sponsor in all 12 events.
Veteran crew chief Mark McFarland will lead Days ARCA effort while Brian Pattie will continue to lead the No. 7 Silverado.
When racing on dirt, you see the small, quarter-mile bullrings and the big, fast half-mile tracks, explained Day. Either way, the racing doesnt change all that much. But on the pavement, you will run on everything from aggressive short tracks, to technical road courses and the beasts that are superspeedways. No matter the racetrack, there are several things I need to learn in these pavement cars to eventually gain that versatility. Im excited to get down to Daytona, run some laps and build a notebook of knowledge about drafting tracks.
Following the ARCA season-opener, Day is scheduled to return to the cockpit of the No. 77 Chevy at Phoenix Raceway (March 7), Sonoma Raceway (July 11) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 26).
His eight-race Craftsman Truck Series schedule will include:
Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 14
Homestead-Miami Speedway March 21
Martinsville Speedway March 28
Bristol Motor Speedway April 11
Rockingham Speedway April 18
Nashville Superspeedway May 30
Indianapolis Raceway Park July 25
Darlington Raceway August 30
The 2024 schedule also saw him transition to the pavement ranks where he scored a win in his late model stock car debut in the second of twin 40-lap features at Hickory Motor Speedway. Day continued to climb the ladder last season with four starts a piece in both the ARCA Menards and Truck Series.
Those races will help me immensely, said Day. I think having any time on pavement helps me understand the feel of the car and even just how the shows run. When I was preparing for my first ARCA race last year, I had no feel for what to expect when I hit the race track. Now I have an idea of what to expect, but there will obviously be some growing pains to feel out. I have the baseline, I just need to continue to shape and refine my craft to continue to improve. I never thought my career would end up here. I only started racing sprint cars three years ago, so it is crazy how fast my career has progressed just in that time. Im super grateful for all the people along the way that believed in me and my abilities to get me to this point.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. Continuing to grow its network of partners before the NASCAR Cup Series season begins, Front Row Motorsports announced a new sponsor for the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse wheeled by Noah Gragson.
Zep, a longtime associate sponsor for the team, will be Gragsons primary sponsor for two races.
Zep is excited about our new partnership with Front Row Motorsports as the official cleaning brand throughout their organization, said Greg Heyer, Executive Vice President Retail Sales and Marketing, Zep. We look forward to working with Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team as the primary sponsor at some key races this season and help bring FRM to victory lane!
Gragson will debut the No. 4 Zep Ford Mustang Dark Horse in June at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 28th.
We are thrilled to welcome Zep as the official cleaning supplier of Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 season, said Noah Gragson. Their industry-leading cleaning products will play a key role in maintaining the high-performance standards we strive for both on and off the track. With Zeps support, we are excited to build a successful partnership that enhances our teams performance and makes a lasting impact throughout the season.
Zeps second primary race is August 23rd at the famed Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
FA Cup third round preview: Arsenal vs. Man United, can Tamworth stun Spurs?
It's FA Cup third round weekend, one of the biggest occasions in the English football calendar, when lower-league minnows get the chance to take on some of the biggest teams in the world in true David vs. Goliath encounters.
While 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal take on holders and 13-time winners Manchester United in the heavyweight clash of the round at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all face teams from EFL League Two. Oh, and Tottenham visit National League strugglers Tamworth -- almost 100 places separate the two clubs in the English football pyramid -- at their 4,900-capacity ground called The Lamb.
FA Cup history is littered with shocks and so-called giant-killings, including fourth-tier Wrexham beating reigning league champions Arsenal in 1992, third-tier Leeds United winning at Premier League champions Manchester United in 2010 and sixth-tier Maidstone United, of the National League South, winning away at Premier League-bound Ipswich Town last season.
So who will pull off the biggest shock this time, and what are the storylines to look out for? ESPN has identified the ties with the best stories and biggest shock value this weekend.
Everton vs. Peterborough United: Thursday, 2:45 p.m. ET/7:45 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
Ashley Young won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 2016 and the Everton defender will get the chance to create an even more personal cup memory by facing his teenage son in this third-round tie at Goodison Park.
Tyler Young, 18, made his professional debut for League One side Peterborough in October and could ensure a Father versus Son by being named in manager Darren Ferguson's squad for the game. Ferguson, of course, is the son of former United manager Sir Alex, who signed Ashley Young for the Premier League club in 2011.
With Ashley at the senior end of the scale at 39 and Tyler still an unproven youngster, this could be a tie when one or both make an appearance from the substitutes' bench, but Ashley has already spoken of the possibility being a "dream come true."
As Ashley posted on X:
WOW.......... Dreams Might Come True #FaCup #GoosebumpsMoment #YoungVsYoung
Ashley Young (@youngy18) December 2, 2024
Liverpool vs. Accrington Stanley: Saturday, 7:15 a.m. ET/12:15 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
This FA Cup clash is about one thing: milk!
In 1989, Accrington Stanley, then a part-time club in the non-league after going out of business as a Football League side in 1962, became the butt of a joke in a UK television commercial by the Milk Marketing Board in which two young Liverpool supporters argue over a drink of milk. One fan tells his friend that Ian Rush, Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer, had said that "if I don't drink lots of milk, when I grow up, I'll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley!"
His friend replies by saying, "Accrington Stanley? Who are they?" prompting the first child to say, "Exactly!" in response.
The commercial has since become a cult classic, and Saturday's tie at Anfield will only be the second-ever meeting of the two clubs and the first since the 1955-56 FA Cup. In the years since the commercial, Accrington have enjoyed a renaissance and returned the Football League in 2009 and the club has maintained a long tradition of employing Liverpudlian footballers who have been unable to make the grade with Liverpool or Everton.
If you want to know what it means to Accrington's players to have the chance of playing against Liverpool, check out the reaction of Accrington forward Josh Woods when the draw was made.
Manchester City vs. Salford City: Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET/5:45 p.m. GMT, LIVE ON ESPN+
An under-achieving club overshadowed by a mighty neighbour until the arrival of a wealthy benefactor, vs. an under-achieving club overshadowed by a mighty neighbour until the arrival of a group of wealthy benefactors who made their name with the mighty neighbour. Welcome to Manchester City vs. Salford City: it's a tie between two clubs less than five miles apart, but with the added spice of Salford being owned by the Class of 92, the famed group of young players who formed the backbone of Manchester United's 1999 Treble winners.
Since buying Salford in 2014, when the club were seven levels below the Premier League, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville have taken the club into the EFL. They have been described as the "Man City of the lower leagues," with Salford's big-spending (in non-league terms) earning comparisons to City's transformation under Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan since his 2008 takeover at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola talks about Jack Grealish's recent form and calls for support from Manchester City fans.
Salford's astronomic rise has hit the buffers in recent years, with the club still in League Two after five seasons, but this tie is all about the owners and the very distant prospect of a huge upset against City to add to the successes they enjoyed while playing for United.
Tamworth vs. Tottenham: Sunday, 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
This is a classic cup tie involving a non-league minnow at home against one of the biggest names in English football. Tiny Tamworth are taking on Tottenham, whose record of eight FA Cup wins is bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester United. Tamworth's stadium, The Lamb, has an artificial surface and visitors' changing rooms that are too small to accommodate all of the Spurs squad and their staff.
Mid-table in the National League, England's fifth tier, Tamworth would pull off one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history if they were to defeat Spurs. Lincoln City were the last team from outside the EFL to win against a Premier League side in the FA Cup when they defeated Burnley at Turf Moor in 2017, while Sutton United's 2-1 home win against Coventry City in 1989 was the most recent non-league win against a top-flight side.
But as one of the Premier League's so-called Big Six, Spurs would be the biggest name to fall against non-league side if they were to be on the wrong end of an upset. The club's joy at being drawn against a Premier League opponent shows they're ready for the challenge.
James Olley assesses Ange Postecoglou's hopes from the January transfer window.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
Everyone loves an FA Cup fairytale, but when two giants collide at the third-round stage, the tie will grab the headlines and Arsenal's clash against United sees the cup's most successful-ever sides go head-to-head for a place in the fourth round.
The Gunners haven't gone beyond the fourth round since lifting the cup for a record 14th time after beating Chelsea in 2020, while 13-time winners United emerged with the cup for only the second time since 2004 after defeating Manchester City at Wembley last season.
Sunday's game will be the 15th FA Cup encounter between the two teams with United winning eight, Arsenal five and one draw. It is a cup rivalry that has thrown up some of the most memorable moments in FA Cup history including Ryan Giggs's solo goal winner in the 1999 semifinal replay, Alan Sunderland scoring a last-minute winner in the 1979 Final and Arsenal winning the first-ever penalty shoot-out in a final when beating United in 2005.
Sunday's game will have to be decided on the day, with no more replays in the cup this season, so expect more drama.
Leeds United vs. Harrogate Town: Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET/5:45 p.m GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
Less than 20 miles separate EFL Championship side Leeds United and League Two team Harrogate Town, but the two will meet for the first time in a competitive fixture in Saturday's tie at Elland Road.
And while the clubs are now just two divisions apart, it is a true David vs. Goliath tie. When Leeds won the league title in 1992 -- the year before the start of the Premier League -- Harrogate were playing in the seventh-tier Northern Premier League and had previously welcomed Leeds to their tiny 5,000-capacity Wetherby Road stadium to officially turn on the club's new floodlights.
Harrogate is a genteel spa town, home of old-fashioned tea rooms and mineral springs, while Leeds is an industrial powerhouse city of 500,000 people, with a football club regarded by many as the biggest outside the Premier League. Having been promoted to the EFL for the first time in 2020, Harrogate continue to punch above their weight in League Two, but it would be a historic cup upset if they were to win.
Newcastle United vs. Bromley: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
Newcastle are arguably the most unsuccessful big club anywhere in the world due to a trophy drought dating back to 1969, when the Magpies won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup -- the tournament that became the UEFA Cup and is now the Europa League. The last of Newcastle's six FA Cups came in 1955, so Eddie Howe's team could end a 70-year wait to become cup winners this season.
Standing in their way are League Two side Bromley, who were promoted to the EFL for the first time in their history by winning the National League Play-Off final last season.
Andy Woodman spent five years at Newcastle as the club's goalkeeper coach between 2010 and 2015, but his claim to fame is co-authoring a book with best friend Gareth Southgate in 2004 called "Woody & Nord: A Football Friendship," which won best autobiography at the British Book Awards for chronicling their relationship and contrasting careers in the game.
Nottingham Forest vs. Luton Town: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT, LIVE on ESPN+
This tie is a repeat of the 1959 FA Cup Final, when Forest last lifted the cup courtesy of a goal scored by Elton John's cousin.
Back in 1959, Roy Dwight was the star of the family, with younger cousin Reginald just a 12-year-old with dreams of making it as a pop star. After changing his name to Elton John, Reginald quickly put Roy in the shade with his musical achievements, even though Roy retained the rare distinction of scoring a goal to help his team win an FA Cup final before breaking his leg in the same game.
Fast forward to 2025 and Forest are flying high in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo and one of the outsiders with hopes of winning the FA Cup this season.
Vandy star TE Stowers to return for 2025 season
First-team All-SEC tight end Eli Stowers told ESPN that he plans to return to Vanderbilt for the 2025 season.
Stowers said he thought "a lot" about the NFL, as he was projected as a midround draft pick, but he stayed because "we're building something special" at Vanderbilt.
Stowers caught 49 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns this season. He had a season-high 133 yards in the Commodores' upset of then-No. 1 Alabama on Oct. 5.
Stowers began his career at Texas A&M as a quarterback and came to Vanderbilt from New Mexico State in 2024. By shining in the SEC again in 2025, he could continue to boost his draft stock.
Stowers told ESPN he wanted to develop into "being the best version of myself."
Stowers' return is significant for Vanderbilt, which also will return quarterback Diego Pavia next year. Pavia won the 2024 SEC Newcomer of the Year and won a landmark ruling to get an extra year of eligibility by challenging the NCAA's stance on junior college eligibility rules. He'll now have Stowers, his close friend and the team's leading receiver, to throw to in 2025.
In recent seasons, Vanderbilt hadn't been as prepared from an NIL standpoint to retain top talent. They've lost players to other power conference schools or not been able to pay players enough to return, which meant they went to the NFL with uncertain futures.
The combination of better NIL resources and the momentum from a 7-6 season and the school's first bowl win since 2013 have Vanderbilt well positioned to build in 2025.
Stowers told ESPN he wants to "be a part of a Vandy team that can change the culture and reputation of the program and make more history for years to come."
Ex-Titans star Wycheck had CTE at time of death
Former Tennessee Titans star tight end Frank Wycheck suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head, at the time of his death just over a year ago.
Wycheck's family confirmed the CTE diagnosis in a statement released Thursday, 13 months after the three-time Pro Bowler died from an apparent fall inside his home.
A study of Wycheck's brain conducted at Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center concluded that Wycheck had CTE Stage III, according to his family. Stage IV is the most severe diagnosis.
"Our family is grateful to learn of his confirmed CTE diagnosis in hopes to continue our father's desire to bring awareness, increased intervention, education, and support for NFL alumni and their families related to CTE," Wycheck's daughter, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, said in a statement. "Our hope is that NFL alumni, who believe they are suffering from CTE, will be given the much-needed resources and guidance prior to their symptoms reaching a debilitating state. With on-going CTE research and diagnosis', we hope future NFL alumni and families will be explicitly given an outline and plan of action in receiving care and treatment."
Wycheck was found dead at his Chattanooga, Tennessee, home on Dec. 9, 2023. He was 52.
The family's announcement came one day after the 25th anniversary of the "Music City Miracle," a play co-authored by Wycheck that stands as one of the most famous moments in NFL history.
At the end of the Titans' wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 8, 2000, with Tennessee trailing 16-15 with 16 seconds remaining, Wycheck fielded a kickoff return on what promised to be the game's final series. Wycheck started to return the kickoff before throwing a lateral across the field to Kevin Dyson, who ran 75 yards to score the winning touchdown in the Titans' 22-16 victory.
Wycheck played nine of his 11 NFL seasons with the Titans/Oilers franchise and finished third in team history with 482 career receptions. He was added to the Titans' Ring of Honor in 2008, five years after retiring from the NFL. Wycheck also played two seasons with Washington.
Wycheck started working as a color commentator on the Titans Radio Network in 2005. The Titans announced before the 2017 preseason that he was stepping down from the role because of lingering head issues.
"My father put his body on the line throughout his career," Wycheck Szabo said. "He loved the game and even more so loved his teammates. After retirement, he fought for years to bring light to his post-NFL journey and the fears he had around his struggles and symptoms that he knew whole-heartedly was CTE. He often felt forgotten and ignored, and that his situation was helpless.
"Reflecting back, I wish our family had been educated on the signs and symptoms of CTE. Instead of believing that something was inherently wrong with him, we now know he was doing the best he could as a father and friend under circumstances beyond his control."
Cracknell on grief, bird watching and international ambitions
While putting in big hits and getting stuck in at set-pieces helped Cracknell cope that day, he is someone that tends to find calming comforts in more far flung places.
With binoculars in hand, he has escaped to the Isle of Skye off the north west coast of Scotland to watch birds of prey.
"I've gone up to Scotland for a couple of family holidays and we saw eagles up there on one of those and I thought they were really interesting and I wanted to see one in the wild," Cracknell said.
"So a year ago, when we had a random week off in January or February, I got a camper van and went with my dog up to the Isle of Skye and saw a golden eagle and white-tailed eagles in the wild.
"I really like the peace of it, and it's a beautiful part of the UK.
"We have a group of lads, the eagle group we call it, and we did a social last year which was good fun. And I'll try to line it up this year as well."
Talking about Cracknell before Leicester's European Champions Cup against Ulster on Saturday, Cheika spoke of a "stoic" figure on the pitch and "different cat" off it.
Cracknell says stoicism is a trait he inherited from his parents, while the notion of being a "different cat" - Australian slang for curious character - is no surprise.
"The fact I like birds of prey for a start, is a sign," Cracknell laughed.
"Why am I weird? It's hard to answer. I don't know. The eagles, and I studied history and maybe I have slightly different interests from the other boys."
Bird-watching and rugged Scottish getaways are maybe not what is expected of a former Ospreys and London Irish back row who has come into career-best form as he turned 30.
He has impressed so thoroughly at number eight for Cheika's Tigers this season that the player better known as a reliable utility back row has been tipped to get an international call-up for the upcoming Six Nations.
The Leeds-born player has featured for Wales' Under-20 side and was called up to their senior team in 2017, but remains uncapped at that level - which also leaves him eligible to play for England.
Cracknell said there has been no contact over a potential Wales call-up for the Six Nations, but said he is working hard to earn it.
"Every player that goes out there in the Premiership aspires to play international rugby," he said.
"I want to test myself at the highest level I can, but I've got to be patient and play as well as I can.
"I just have to keep pushing to improve my game and level up really."
Gloucester: George Barton; Christian Wade, Chris Harris, Max Llewellyn, Josh Hathaway; Santi Carreras, Caolan Englefield; Mayco Vivas, Jack Singleton, Ciaran Knight, Freddie Thomas, Arthur Clark, Jack Clement, Lewis Ludlow (capt), Ruan Ackermann.
Replacements: Seb Blake, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Kirill Gotovtsev, Cam Jordan, Freddie Clarke, Albert Tuisue, Tomos Williams, Charlie Atkinson.
Scarlets: Ioan Lloyd; Ellis Mee, Macs Page, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Max Douglas, Taine Plumtree, Josh Macleod (capt), Vaea Fifita.
Replacements: Shaun Evans, Alec Hepburn, Gabe Hawley, Sam Lousi, Jarrod Taylor, Gareth Davies, Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas.
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (FFR)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Gasnier & Jean Lespes (FFR)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (FFR)
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. A new year brought a new location for the Pitt Motorsports IMCATV Western Nationals when the event moved to Central Arizona Raceway.
Previously Cocopah Speedway was the site for the event but the track is not currently active.
Five IMCA divisions brought 223 teams to the sharp looking three-eighths-mile oval for the first of eight Western Nationals shows.
A windy day made opening day challenging and a rain delay after the heats added to the weather issues. Racing resumed and some packing was all it took to run eight B mains, moving a dozen into the A main to make 28-car fields.
Draw heats used passing/finishing points to add cars to the heat winners to create a top 16 to fill the first eight rows of the A mains.
The modified main was quickly run and dominated by Luke Silber, using his front row starting spot to take the win over Chaz Baca and Dylan Thornton.
Northern sport mods were led by Tyler Johnson for two laps before Jake Smith sped past Johnson on the backstretch. Smith led eight laps until a yellow opened an opportunity for Ryan Perry.
Perry raced into turn one the bottom and drove past Smith and went on to win. Smith was second and Taylor Kuehl finished third.
Stock cars had an excellent battle between Braden Richards and Mike Albertsen highlighting the division often labeled too tough to tame.
A cluster of stock cars chasing the lead didnt get past Richards and the Madrid, Iowa driver took the win over Albertsen and Jason Rogers.
A trio of Nebraska drivers dominated the hobby stock main as Dillon Richards and Dillon Thompson, took the top two finishing spots and Morgan Olmstead was third to complete the sweep.
Sport compact action saw Billy Foultz, Joseph Baker and Gilbert Aldape take the podium finish.
The Western Nationals continue the next three days and can be followed on SPEED SPORT affiliate IMCA.tv.
19-Driver RoC Field Set For Chili Bowl Nationals
TULSA, Okla. The OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions has become a mainstay during Mondays 2nd Opinion Auto Center Qualifying Night at the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.
This years roster is comprised of 19 drivers topped by two-time and defending Chili Bowl winner Logan Seavey. Tthe USAC Triple Crown career titlist aboard the Victory Fuel/Swindell SpeedLab No. 39, fielded by Kevin and Jordan Swindell, also won last years Race of Champions.
For the 2025 event, drivers from across the racing spectrum have been invited to participate in the OReilly Auto Parts Race of Champions.
Race Of Champions Field
1 Sammy Swindell: The five-time Chili Bowl National Champion.
1s Spencer Bayston: Winner of Thursdays Hasty Bake Qualifying Night in 2024, this past season saw the Indiana racer on the road with the Kubota High Limit Series.
1k Kyle Larson: A last-minute decision to head to Tulsa in 2024, things are full throttle in 2025 for the 2020 and 2021 Chili Bowl Nationals Champion as he hunts yet another Golden Driller after banking two during the Smileys Racing Products Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink.
3t Brad Sweet: A tie in Midweek, a title overall, the High Limit Racing co-founder gets the nod to compete as the 2024 Kubota High Limit Champion.
4p Kody Swanson: The 2024 season was uncertain, but it did not stay that way for long and earned Swanson an invite to compete as the 2024, and now eight-time, USAC Silver Crown Champion.
19r Ricky Thornton Jr.: Not afraid to race anything and everything, RTJ gets invited to compete as the 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion.
21h Brady Bacon: Sprint Cars, Midgets, Wing or Non-Wing, the Chili Bowl Nationals invites three-time USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Champion Brady Bacon to compete.
23c Tyler Courtney: Sunshine finished runner-up in the 2024 OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, plus went on to win the tie and secure the Kubota High Limit Midweek Money Series.
39 Logan Seavey: Winner of the 2024 OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, along with being the two-time and defending Chili Bowl Nationals Champion and the 2024 USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Champion, Logan Seavey is back for more.
41 Corey Day: Winner of Wednesdays York Plumbing Qualifying Night in 2024, the 2024 Turkey Night Grand Prix winner turned heads last season with the Kubota High Limit Series, scoring eight victories.
57 Kaylee Bryson: The first woman to win a USAC National event with her Silver Crown triumph at Belleville in 2024, Kaylee Brysons success on the pavement put her atop the points in Trans-Am SGT National competition and earned her an invite to the OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions with Abacus Racing, who was the entrant owner champion with the USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Championship.
67 Ryan Timms: With POWRi and Xtreme each topped by the same driver, the invite goes to Ryan Timms, who placed second in Xtreme standings with multi-time Chili Bowl Champion car owners KKM/Curb-Agajanian.
71 Buddy Kofoid: Winner of Tuesdays Warren CAT Qualifying Night in 2024, this past season was a banner year for the two-time USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget champion as he earned the 2024 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.
71K Cannon McIntosh: The 2024 season was a successful one for McIntosh, who got the invite with both the Xtreme and POWRi titles and nearly captured the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget championship.
71w Christopher Bell: Unleashed by Joe Gibbs Racing to return to the dirt tracks, the three-time Chili Bowl Champion added a second Tulsa Shootout Golden Driller this past weekend in a thrilling victory in Saturdays 55-lap, Hyper Racing Outlaw Non-Wing feature.
86 Daison Pursley: A fight to the finish for the 2024 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship, the title for CB Industries driver Daison Pursley, secure his spot in the OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
87 Justin Grant: Winner of the 2022 OReilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions; Grant saw an up-and-down season in 2024 but will see a new chapter as he joins CB Industries for the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals.
88 Tanner Thorson: Winner of the 2022 Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink, Thorson spent the summer chasing the Kubota High Limit Series before getting Midget laps in California.
98 Tanner Carrick: Winner of Mondays 2nd Opinion Auto Center Qualifying Night in 2024, Carrick secured several wins in 2024 along the West Coast.
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.
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