Nineteen-year-old Corey Day won the pole for tonight's Ecosave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race with a lap of 30.388 seconds at 177.702 miles per hour. It was the first career Truck Series pole for the Clovis, California, driver, who will be joined by Tyler Ankrum on the front row in the 134-lap race.
“Oh man, I’m shaking,” said Day, who drives the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. “I just haven’t had a success [yet], and it’s really been a struggle for me. So, it’s really awesome to get a pole. I’m just so excited.”
Quoted and quotable: Media availability highlights
NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell
On looking to become the first driver to win four consecutive races since Jimmie Johnson in 2007.
“I’m just excited about it. One thing’s for sure – nothing that’s happened the last three weeks means anything for this week. Everything is still ahead of me, and nothing is set. As soon as the green flag drops for qualifying, we have to go out and qualify well, and we have to execute the race.
“I am optimistic about how we’re going to perform because this has been a strong track for us in the past, but I’m trying really hard to not get ahead of myself and understand that it’s a new week, it’s another race and everybody’s going to be bringing their best stuff and trying to beat me. I’m optimistic about how we’re going to perform, but I understand it’s a tall task. To be in the same category as some of those guys who I have the chance to tie their stats, I guess time will tell, but it’s definitely an honor to be in that conversation.”
On hearing from Jimmie Johnson about his winning streak.
“It’s still the coolest thing in the world to me that I have Jimmie Johnson in my phone. He has talked to me and has sent me a text message after every win so far, and I’m still shocked every time I see his name pop up [in my phone]. I respect the heck out of him, and it’s an honor to know that he thinks of me after the race enough to shoot me a text message.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth – 2024 Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts winner
On being back at the site of his first career victory in March a year ago.
“It’s super great, and it was nice to see the [race winner] banners at the race track and seeing the stuff downstairs. It’s a new experience for me, and hopefully it’s not the last. It was definitely great to see that history, and I’m thankful to have received that. Hopefully, we can go repeat tonight.”
NASCAR Xfinity Series The LiUNA pole winner Sammy Smith
On winning his third career NXS pole after a lap of 29.435 seconds/183.455 mph.
“Our car was as fast as Xfinity Mobile right there, and just thanks to the Pilot team, JRM and everybody. Hopefully, we can finish it. We were solid in practice, and we just needed to work on our line and things just a little bit. Hopefully, we’ll keep it up front, and we’ll see.
“I feel really good going into tomorrow. I think we’ve got to work on our race car just a touch with it being hotter. We’ve just got to try to keep it up front, and hopefully get good stage points and then be there in the final stage.”
