Kyle Larson critiques NASCAR sensation Corey Day amid Truck debut performance: "I hope he can get more opportunities”

Kyle Larson commended Corey Day for his debut performance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol, saying he should get more opportunities in stock car racing. Day completed all 200 laps to finish in 18th after starting from 22nd.

Corey Day is an 18-year-old Sprint Car driver who was given the opportunity to drive four Truck Series races with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing this year. In the world of sprint cars, Day is competing with Kubota High Limit Racing, a 410 winged sprint car series owned by Larson and five-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet.

Ahead of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, Kyle Larson praised Corey Day for his efforts in the Truck Series.

“He did a really good job yesterday. I mean, it’s his only second and third-ever stock car race. So I thought he did a good job coming to probably one of the toughest tracks on their circuit. You could see him kind of learning throughout the whole afternoon, so yeah, I thought he really did a good job.”

Larson added:

“He’s just extremely good, he’s super fun to watch and great family and all that, only 18. So I hope he can get more opportunities to learn these cars, learn this style of racing and really show the world how great he is.”

Before hopping in the No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet Silverado, Corey Day finished P7 in the ARCA Menard Series. He completed a total of 405 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday.

The California native will be piloting the No. 91 MHR truck for the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway and later at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He will be back in the No. 81 truck for his final start this season at Martinsville Speedway.

Corey Day spoke with Frontstretch about his preparation for the next race at Kansas.

“Just kind of know what to expect to how the truck reacts. You know, it’ll be completely different because it’s a superspeedway setup or mile and a half, whatever it is, to short track so I’m sure the truck will react completely different but you know just kind of knowing the tendencies of it, and that type of stuff gives you accountability for sure," Day said [0:45].

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Kyle Larson congratulated Connor Zilisch on winning his debut Xfinity race at Watkins Glen

Kyle Larson applauded Connor Zilisch for winning his debut NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen earlier this month. Zilisch is another promising young talent who just turned 18 in July. He has secured a full-time seat at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports for next season.

Larson posted on X (formerly Twitter) his message for Zilisch following his Watkins Glen win.

“Congrats @ConnorZilisch! Pretty unreal talent,” Larson tweeted.

Kyle Larson also joked about the 18-year-old tucking his pants into his racing shoes, which hypothetically provides an advantage by smoothening airflow on the suit.

“Maybe I need to tuck my pants into my racing shoes too? 🤔” Larson added.

Kyle Larson finished P12 at Watkins Glen, beating 13 playoff drivers to the checkered flag. He left the race weekend 9th in the Cup Series playoff standings and +26 to the cut-line.