Corey Day Earned Pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The driver secured the top starting position ahead of Friday night's Focused Health 302.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Motorsports
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Local racing fans watching the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series saw Corey Day secure the pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Day completed his qualifying lap in 29.858 seconds to edge out the competition.
Why it matters
The qualifying results set the stage for the Focused Health 302 as Chase contenders fight for points. With only six events remaining in the 2026 season, track position remains critical for those trailing the current points leader.
Corey Day captured the pole with a speed of 180.856 mph, outpacing Sheldon Creed who clocked in at 180.741 mph. All 36 qualified entries will compete in the race, though the impact of Day trailing the series lead by 92 points remains to be seen.
The players
Corey Day
The driver from Clovis, California, who earned the pole position and ranks sixth in the Chase standings.
Sheldon Creed
The driver who qualified in second place and is currently signed to move to Sam Hunt Racing in 2027.
William Sawalich
A competitor who was unable to post a qualifying lap due to mechanical issues.
The details
Corey Day locked in his second pole of the 2026 season during a single-car, single-lap qualifying session at the speedway. Nine of the 12 active Chase contenders placed in the top 10 for the start. William Sawalich did not post a time due to a mechanical failure. The race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: Corey Day secured the pole position.
2027: Sheldon Creed is set to join Sam Hunt Racing.
Beyond the Strip
This qualifying session represents the latest high-stakes moment in the 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase. It highlights the shifting competitive field as drivers jockey for position with only six races left on the calendar.
Traffic around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway may increase as race fans arrive for the 7:30 p.m. event. Residents in the area should account for potential delays on roads leading to the speedway before and after the race.
The takeaway
Corey Day has positioned himself well for a strong finish, but he faces an uphill battle to close his 92-point deficit in the standings. Fans should watch tonight to see if his pole-starting position translates into a victory in the Focused Health 302.
What happens next
The Focused Health 302 is scheduled for tonight, October 3, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Further reading
Get more updates on upcoming races at the Las Vegas Motorsports section.
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