Corey Day was at it once again.

After being involved in an incident with Andy Jankowiak in the ARCA Menards Series, the 18-year-old made headlines for the wrong reasons after the Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. The rookie was seen spinning violently on the racetrack after making contact with Matt Mills’ No. 42 Chevy in the final stage of the race. The collision brought about a caution and forced Day to retire early for the first time in his Truck Series career.

Having been described as the next-generation Kyle Larson, Corey Day’s reputation amongst NASCAR fans has taken a battering after recent on-track incidents. Several fans took to social media to express their frustrations towards the California native, who is fighting for his future in NASCAR.

Corey Day rues missed opportunity at Kansas Speedway

The best word to describe the incident between Corey Day and Matt Mills would be ‘bizarre’. Both drivers were racing three-wide alongside Taylor Gray on Lap 77 of the Kubota Tractor 200 when the collision occurred. Something broke from Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado, sending the 27-year-old driver up the track and into Corey Day, who hit the outside wall. Sparks flew out of Mills’ Truck while the 18-year-old spun 180 degrees before both drivers hit the grass. Even though Day and Mills were okay after the accident, their Trucks suffered race-ending damage, which was the Niece Motorsports driver’s third DNF of the season.

Speaking to Frontstretch’s Daniel McFadin after the race, Corey Day shared his views about the incident by saying, “I just watched the video. Just kind of following the #17 (Taylor Gray) down the track there to try and drive a little air and the next thing I knew, I was sideways.” When asked about how the race was going up till that point, the 18-year-old replied, “It was good. We struggled on pit stops a little bit, lost spots but getting them right back once we got out. Felt like I had a top-10 truck for sure.”

Corey Day will consider his early retirement in the 2024 Kubota Tractor 400 as a lost chance. For a driver who made his name in sprint car racing, the rookie is adapting quickly to the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Truck Series. It’s not a surprise that Jeff Gordon has backed him to succeed, while Kyle Larson has said, “He’s basically me”. The 18-year-old was running in the top 15 and looked certain to finish in the top ten before colliding with Mills, which would have been a significant improvement from his 18th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.

While comparisons with Kyle Larson are inevitable, the reality is that Corey Day needs to refine his skills and develop as a racing driver before he can be considered a worthy successor. Being involved in a second incident at Kansas Speedway doesn’t reflect well on the 18-year-old, even though there was little that he could do after Matt Mills collided with him in the Truck Series race. Having signed a four-race agreement with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, Day has two more opportunities to impress at Homestead Miami and Martinsville Speedway as he looks to secure his NASCAR future.

NASCAR fans are already losing patience with Corey Day

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As expected, NASCAR fans were quick to react after Corey Day suffered his first DNF in the Truck Series. Many fans remembered his on-track incident with Jankowiak at the 2024 Reese’s 150 and have begun to frame an opinion that the 18-year-old is a rash driver. After the Truck Series collision, one fan wrote on X, “Corey Day identifies as a caution”. Echoing that sentiment, another fan felt that Andy Jankowiak was finally avenged after an incident with Day forced the KLAS Motorsports driver to finish seventh. The fan went on to write, “Good that’s called Karma.”

Perhaps the expectations are high because of Corey Day’s comparisons with Kyle Larson, but NASCAR fans haven’t warmed up to the rookie driver, despite his immense talent. During the confrontation with Jankowiak after the race, the youngster was seen smirking while speaking to his 36-year-old opponent, which prompted one fan to write, “After how he handled himself after the ARCA race today, I don’t mind seeing Corey Day being humbled every chance he gets in these NASCAR races 🤷‍♂️.” With consecutive on-track incidents in two races, one fan is hoping that Day will use the experience to not repeat the same mistakes in the future. The fan wrote, “Corey Day might have finally learned his lesson.”

Another fan couldn’t help but express happiness at Corey Day’s struggles, enjoying the fact that the Hendrick Motorsports’ development driver was forced to retire early at Kansas Speedway. It was the California native’s second Truck Series start of his career, but that didn’t stop the fan from writing on X, “COREY DAY WRECKED LMFAOOOOOOO.” While it’s clear that the youngster hasn’t won over NASCAR fans yet, he will have two more opportunities to change their perception. Will he manage to have controversy-free races and secure his long-term future in NASCAR? Time will tell.