LEXINGTON, Ohio – Some might have expected that NASCAR Next driver Alon Day would fly under the radar in his first weekend of NASCAR XFINITY Series competition.
But, Day, a native of Tel Aviv, Israeli would have none of it.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) driver stormed into the XFINITY Series spotlight Friday morning putting his No. 40 FLWaterfront.com Dodge Charger 23rd fastest in the first of two practice sessions at the 2.25-mile road course.
The practice effort was the fastest for the car owned by MB Motorsports owners Carl Long and his wife Danielle has been all season long. Not to mention for a driver who doesn’t have a lick of NASCAR experience at any race track in the United States, let alone Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Day, however, proved that the first practice though was just a preview of what his team was capable of. During the series’ final practice session of the day, the 24-year-old driver hustled to the 16th fastest time overall beating the likes of recent XFINITY winner Daniel Suarez and veterans Jeremy Clements, Brennan Poole, J.J. Yeley and Ross Chastain to name a few.
And while Day guided his car to the 22nd fastest time in qualifying Friday night, the five-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series winner was satisfied with the opening day of competition.
“I didn’t know what to expect in the first practice,” Day told CATCHFENCE.com. “A new track, new car, new series, but I was fortunate to get up to speed learning everything quick, and at the end of the second practice to finish 16th which is way above our goal as a team.
“Unfortunately, in qualifying, we couldn’t make the same lap time as in practice due to traffic on the track. But, I am very happy with the progress of the day and that’s definitely gives me a lot of confidence going into the race.”
With a likely forecast for rain and potential thunderstorms at the time of the green flag for the Mid-Ohio Challenge, most of the XFINITY Series drivers are nervous about what could be ahead, but for Day, who has experience racing in the rain, he’s hoping to utilize Mother Nature to have an upper hand on most of the competition.
“Well, I used to drive in the rain, I grow up in Europe where 50 percent of the races in wet condition,” Day added. “In fact, my last win in the NASCAR Euro Series this year was actually in the rain, so I’m praying for rain in my XFINITY debut. I think while it would be a disadvantage for some, it would be an advantage for me and something that could help me in my XFINITY debut.”
As for a goal in his NASCAR national series debut?
Day replied, “Well, I think with the equipment the team has, it’s great to be able to produce the results we did during practice and qualifying yesterday. So I think we are capable of finishing in the top-15 top-20. I would be very happy with that considering the equipment I’m in. If it rains? Maybe something even better would be possible. I’m just thankful to MBM Motorsports for the opportunity to make my XFINITY debut.”
While Day’s management team is working hard to find funding to expand his XFINITY Series schedule for the back half of the season, Day will return for the final road course race of the season at Road America on Aug. 27 also driving for MBM Motorsports.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
