By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
Six years after his most recent NASCAR race in the United States, Alon Day returns to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Alpha Prime Racing.
The NASCAR Next alum last competed in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2018 at Richmond Raceway. Day’s most recent Xfinity Series race came in 2016 at Road America. Eight years later, the Ashdod, Israel native returns to Xfinity competition.
Day will drive the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro SS with Jet Support Services, Inc. and Setna iO as his primary sponsors in The Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Course. The 32-year-old will compete in a third part-time entry for the Tommy Joe Martins co-owned team.
Featured prominently on the hood of Day’s car will be the Hebrew word for life, חי. The four-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (EuroNASCAR) PRO champion previously has acknowledged the innocent people on both sides of the Israeli-Gaza conflict. Having the Hebrew word for life on his car pays homage to the innocent, the Israeli still held hostage, and in solidarity against rising anti-Semitism.
“We are honored to partner with Alon Day for NASCAR Chicago’s Street Race Xfinity Series,” said Neil Book, JSSI Chairman and CEO. “Alon represents the heart and spirit of the Israeli people: commitment to excellence, tremendous work ethic, and ability to persevere in the face of enormous adversity. These are the traits that we strive to embody at JSSI. We’re excited for Alon to bring these talents to the streets of Chicago.”
The first NASCAR Street Course race weekend for the three National Touring Series took place last year. Torrential rains and flooding forced officials to declare the Xfinity race official prior to the halfway mark and before the completion of Stage 2, the first time they had done so in the modern era.
The first event grabbed the attention of many first-time NASCAR fans. One group, the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center of South Loop, led by Rabbi Mordechai Gershon were captivated by the ‘kabbalah of cars.’ Rabbi Gershon held a watch party in his apartment above the street course, bringing a new group of fans to the sport.
“We are thrilled to sponsor Alon Day for the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Xfinity Series,” explained David Chaimovitz, Setna iO. “This incredible event, held in Grant Park, showcases the best of Chicago and America: competition, camaraderie, and bringing people of different backgrounds and nationalities together in celebration and sportsmanship.”
Day last competed in NASCAR competition in Europe in 2022 when he earned his record breaking fourth EuroNASCAR PRO championship. Although, he may be most remembered for his run in the MBM Motorsports No. 40 Dodge Challenger at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2016. Driving the ‘zombie-Dodge,’ Day ran inside the top-five throughout the rain-soaked race and finished 13th after being spun in the final corner.
“I am grateful to Neil Book and JSSI, Setna iO, and my other sponsors for making it possible for me to compete in the Chicago Xfinity Street Race following my record breaking four EuroNASCAR championships,” Day said. “I will be piloting the 45 at jet speed through the streets of Chicago on July 6.”
Day has competed on-track with Martins once before. In the 2016 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the Israeli finished three spots, and two laps, behind his future team owner. That was Day’s North American NASCAR oval debut.
In his six starts across the three National Touring Series, Day has competed for several smaller teams. In his two NASCAR Cup Series races he drove for the now-defunct BK Racing. Both of his Xfinity starts came with Carl Long’s team. Day’s Truck Series races came with Carlos Contreras’ team. By comparison, the dominant driver in EuroNASCAR was with a powerhouse team in the sport’s European branch.
“Alon is a special talent, and I know his skillset is a perfect fit for the Chicago Street Race,” President of Alpha Prime Sports, Martins explained. “I’ve watched his accomplishments overseas, as well as his standout performances on smaller teams in the Xfinity series on road courses. Everyone at APR is so excited to have him.”
The Loop 110 is scheduled for Saturday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.