Austin, Texas — Corey Day became the center of attention once again in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series when a late-race collision at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) led to a heated moment between drivers. The incident occurred during the Focused Health 250 on February 28, just a week after Day had drawn criticism from Ryan Sieg following an early crash at EchoPark Speedway. While battling for fourth place with only three laps remaining, Day made contact with Connor Zilisch, sending Zilisch into a spin and ending his impressive comeback run.
Details of the Collision and Its Impact on Zilisch
Connor Zilisch had recovered from a brake issue earlier in the race and surged from 29th starting position into the top five, positioning himself to potentially contest for the win if another caution arose. However, Day’s collision dashed those hopes when Zilisch’s car spun off and collided with the guardrail. Reflecting on the incident, Zilisch explained,
“He thought he was clear and he wasn’t, and he tried tucking in and wasn’t clear, It just hooked us.”
The crash erased Zilisch’s momentum and the chance to challenge Shane van Gisbergen at the front, a significant setback after the resilience he had shown during the race.
Describing his frustration, Zilisch added,
“Just unfortunate to end a day like that when you rally back to a top five and it gets taken away from you like that.”
Despite his disappointment, he expressed a willingness to avoid escalating tensions, saying,
“If he wants to come talk to me, he can come talk to me, but I’m not going to go find him and tell him he’s an idiot because, I mean, I think he can tell himself that.”
Corey Day Explains the Circumstances Behind the Crash
Following the incident, Day addressed the media and acknowledged that damage sustained earlier in the race contributed to the collision with Zilisch.
“It probably doesn’t show it great through the camera, but I just had the pan coming loose,”
Day said.
“There was something wrong with the splitter in the front end, and I was already super tight off that corner. (Zilisch) fed the outside and I was trying to give him a lane, so I was all over the curb and it got (the car) even more upset.”
He continued to describe losing control as Zilisch crossed over, which led to the contact:
“And then as soon as he kind of even got within the vicinity of crossing over, I just lost all turn and whatever downforce I had left, and then I ran into him. Didn’t want to do that at all.”
Day expressed his intention to apologize to Zilisch and voiced concern about his recent reputation, stating,
“That’s not the look I want. I’m hoping these next couple of weeks I’m quiet and don’t touch a single car and just run my own race. It’s not the look I want. … The best thing about this sport is you can redeem yourself a week after you hurt yourself.”
Drivers React to Day’s Inexperience on Asphalt Tracks
While Day has demonstrated notable skill with back-to-back top-five finishes this season, his lack of experience on asphalt tracks has drawn criticism from fellow competitors. Zilisch acknowledged Day’s raw talent but stressed the need for cleaner racing at this level:
“He’s just very inexperienced at asphalt racing, so I get it. He’s been thrown in the deep end, and it’s a lot to take on, so I understand it, but when you’re racing at this high of a level, you got to clean it up and not do that stuff. … It’s just something he’s going to have to learn.”
Shane van Gisbergen Claims Victory at COTA
Amid the controversy, Shane van Gisbergen secured the win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Circuit of the Americas, marking another milestone in the fiercely competitive event. The race’s dramatic moments, including Day’s collision with Zilisch, underscored the intensity and unpredictability of high-stakes NASCAR racing.
Implications for Corey Day’s Career Moving Forward
The latest episode at COTA places Corey Day at a crossroads as he continues to adapt to the challenges of asphalt racing within the NASCAR series. His natural ability is evident, but the recent string of incidents could hamper his reputation and opportunities without a marked improvement in racecraft and control. Day’s commitment to learning from these events and focusing on clean racing will be pivotal in shaping his trajectory over the remainder of the season.
Connor Zilisch spins off the track during a late push for the front. pic.twitter.com/95ukfAlBaV
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 28, 2026
