At Pocono International Speedway, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series erupted into chaos when Corey Day’s #17 Chevrolet turned uncontrollably on the exit of Turn 1, clipped Jesse Love’s #2 Richard Childress Racing Chevy, and slammed both into a wall, forcing an immediate exit from the race.
Pocono Crash Destroys Race Prospects
Day, who had moved up from 13th, spun after navigating the right rear, losing control and descending the track. Love, who was pushing hard from the front of the pack, slammed into the side of Day’s car and suffered significant nose damage, leaving his vehicle unable to proceed.
“Just really free there, Turn 1,” Day said from the in‑field care center. “It’s always a variable, what your car is going to do Lap 1, but I just didn’t expect that at all. Top lane cleared up, I moved up, and as soon as I did and went to load the right rear, it just started coming around on me. Just hate it for my No. 17 team – they deserved a lot better than that today. Just hate that it ended the way it did.”
Love, after being checked and released, explained, “From my V‑seat, I had two guys blocking my view of Corey … I just didn’t see him … just frustrating. Out Camaro was going to be pretty good today. Practice went well, then learned some stuff after qualifying. I only got one lap to feel it out, but I was happy with that one corner. Wish we got to have a couple more.”
Championship Consequences
Both drivers were holding the second and third spots in the standings before the incident. The dust‑and‑debris finish leaves Day and Love each with a single point, drastically narrowing the gap to leader Justin Allgaier.
Next Stop: San Diego
The series will resume in a brand‑new street racing venue on San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, where the crews must regroup while the drivers look forward to a chance to recover points.
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