The latest NASCAR O’Reilly event at the Circuit of the Americas has left a bitter taste between Connor Zilisch and rookie Corey Day. After a challenging race, Zilisch finished in a disappointing 21st position, while Day crossed the finish line in fifth place, thus marking his second top 5 in his debut.
As the race progressed, Zilisch encountered brake problems that forced him to spend additional time in the pits. Despite this, he managed to recover and placed fourth in the final laps of the race. It was during a maneuver with Day that Zilisch became involved in an accident that cost him multiple positions and damaged his vehicle.
Zilisch, visibly frustrated, criticized Day for his mistakes on the track, calling him a ‘hack’ as he rejoined the competition. “My Chevrolet was very fast, and we had managed to change the faulty parts. It’s a shame the race ended this way,” he stated.
Day, for his part, acknowledged that his vehicle also had mechanical issues that could have influenced the incident. According to him, he lost control when Zilisch changed trajectory in front of him. “I tried to avoid the impact; it wasn’t my intention to cause him harm,” he said.
After this incident, Zilisch asked for a public apology from Day, which the latter deemed appropriate, claiming he wouldn’t have any issue communicating with him. The tension between the two drivers could add a new chapter to their rivalry in future events.