STOCKTON, Calif. — Corey Day lost the lead a couple of times on Saturday at the Stockton Dirt Track but continued to show the relentless tenacity that we’ve grown accustomed to this season, by making a few bold moves in traffic to bring home his initial SCCT victory.
In clean air, the 16-year-old was turning laps down near the track record, but with the lightning-fast surface it made for tight racing once lapped traffic came into play. Day was able to fend off all challengers to accept the checkered flag aboard his Four C’s Construction/ Elite Landscape Construction No. 41 entry. He becomes the 26th different driver to win a Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards feature.
“It’s been a while since we’ve gotten this family car into victory lane so I could not be happier right now,” Day said. “The track was hooked up all night and that made it difficult with the lapped cars. You almost had to catch them at the right time and hope you make the right move. I want to thank my parents and everyone that supports our race team. It feels great to get our first SCCT win tonight in Stockton.”
Day set the pace early in the feature after winning the High Sierra Industries Dash, but got high entering traffic on lap 10, which allowed Justyn Cox the chance to slice his way into the lead. At that same time Cox was dealing with a collapsed nose wing while navigating his way through hectic lapped traffic. Day stayed right there with him and snatched the lead right back with 13-laps complete. Justin Sanders also moved to the inside for second, as Cox retired to the pit area shortly after.
With Day now locked in around the slower cars Sanders charged right up to his rear, before making a bold move to the inside in turn one. Sanders came out with the lead and one lapped car between the pair momentarily.
Once again Day did not panic and remained glued to the Dale Miller Septic No. 4sa as the pair put on a solid show over the next few circuits. With lapped cars continuing to be in play the duo went side by side down the front stretch with eight laps left. This time Day rocketed around the outside with a gorgeous move to retake the lead.
The immensely talented youngster led the remainder of the way for the $2,500 triumph over Sanders, who has earned five podium finishes in six SCCT starts this year, Tanner Carrick, Michael Faccinto and Shane Golobic.
Tanner Carrick began the evening by claiming the Bianchi Farms Fast Time Award in the 31-car field. The 20-year-old toured the blazing fast speedway in 14.200 seconds.
The finish:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 41-Corey Day[1]; 2. 4SA-Justin Sanders[4]; 3. 83T-Tanner Carrick[8]; 4. X1-Michael Faccinto[3]; 5. 17W-Shane Golobic[5]; 6. 75-Tony Gomes[6]; 7. 42X-Tim Kaeding[14]; 8. 38B-Blake Carrick[7]; 9. 7C-Ryan Robinson[19]; 10. 37-Steven Kent[12]; 11. 121-Caeden Steele[13]; 12. 8JR-Brian McGahan Jr[24]; 13. 12-Steel Powell[11]; 14. 83SA-Isaiah Vasquez[9]; 15. 2-Brooklyn Holland[15]; 16. 4-Jodie Robinson[22]; 17. 33H-Eric Humphries[23]; 18. 31C-Justyn Cox[2]; 19. 21X-Gauge Garcia[21]; 20. 83V-Chase Majdic[20]; 21. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr[16]; 22. 17WX-Ryan Bernal[10]; 23. 92-Andy Forsberg[17]; 24. 87-Ashlyn Rodriguez[18]