PERTH, Australia — Earlier than this week, 20-year-old Corey Day had by no means stepped foot on Australian soil.
Now after two makes an attempt on the Perth Motorplex, the Clovis, California native has accomplished two marvelous drives that has the dash automotive world buzzing amid the second annual Excessive Restrict Worldwide.
Flying abroad to drive a second entry for teammate and native Western Australia hero Callum Williamson, Day’s expectations ran rampant from the second his Aussie journey was introduced, and he’s lived as much as each ounce of the hype.
On Friday, the soon-to-be full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components competitor for Hendrick Motorsports delivered a Boxing Day Bonanza barnburner when he stormed from twenty eighth to second. Returning on Sunday, the child they name “Pay-Day” knew one small place is all he wanted to show in a good higher efficiency, and he did simply that.
Beginning fourth in a 30-lap affair, Day instantly climbed into the second place as outdoors pole sitter Kaiden Manders managed the early lead.
Manders paced the opening eight circuits earlier than Day pounced with a slider to imagine command on Lap 9. From there, he constructed a large benefit in lap site visitors earlier than the one stoppage of the race got here on Lap 21 when ninth-running Kyle Larson slowed with a flat right-rear tire.
Coming to life on the restart, Manders fired again at Day into flip one and drove to guide the twenty second lap earlier than Day returned serve and snook again into the highest spot one journey round later. Racing to the top, Manders saved Day trustworthy – pulling alongside on the white flag – however fell quick by 0.502 seconds.
The victory makes Day the twentieth American to win a dash automotive characteristic at Perth Motorplex – and he joins James McFadden and Kyle Larson as the primary three victors within the Excessive Restrict Worldwide collection.
Heading into Monday’s second preliminary, he’s within the catbird seat as the present excessive level man with an opportunity to lock-in for Tuesday’s $110,000-to-win AUD finale.
Following the triumphant American to the road was a pair of Western Australia locals with Kaiden Manders and Dayne Kingshott finishing the rostrum. A Tasmanian in Jock Goodyer and one other Californian in Buddy Kofoid closed out Sunday’s prime 5.
The end:
Characteristic (30 Laps): 1. U3-Corey Day[4]; 2. 71-Kaiden Manders[1]; 3. 2-Dayne Kingshott[3]; 4. T22-Jock Goodyer[2]; 5. U7-Michael Kofoid[5]; 6. A1-James McFadden[11]; 7. 3-Callum Williamson[8]; 8. U40-Cole Macedo[6]; 9. U95-Brock Zearfoss[14]; 10. U49-Brad Candy[17]; 11. 26-Kerry Madsen[16]; 12. Q65-Luke Oldfield[7]; 13. 18-Daniel Harding[18]; 14. U21-Justin Whittall[22]; 15. U60-Carson Macedo[10]; 16. 11-Jason Kendrick[15]; 17. 1K-Kyle Larson[12]; 18. 4-Cameron McKenzie[21]; 19. 74-Mikey Inexperienced[23]; 20. 9-AJ Nash[20]; 21. U17-Aaron Reutzel[24]; 22. 24-Jack Williamson[19]; 23. U16-Xavier Doney[13]; 24. 5-James Inglis[9]
