LUCAMA, NC – Emily Day started her 2018 season showing just as much speed as she did at the finish of the 2017 season and now has her sights set on victory lane in the Legends division in the WHELEN Spring Fling presented by Thrifty Tire Service Center on Saturday night.
The 16-year-old from Garner, North Carolina finished fourth in the March 31st Legends feature, but the finish in that race did not reflect her on track performance. Day battled with her older brother, Caleb, for the win in much of the race and was leading late, before surrendering the lead in the closing laps. On the final lap, she was involved in an incident with Chris Stancil, relegating her to the rear of the field – but she rebounded in overtime to finish fourth.
Even more impressive for Day, who won three races in the Bandolero division last year, that race was only her third start in a Legend Car at Southern National and her fourth overall.
“That was my second or third race at Southern National in a Legend and my fourth in the car. I was very pleased with how I was able to run and run up front,” Day stated. “I’m learning a lot. I’m new to racing a Legend Car and I do make mistakes but Dillon Spain and all them have been a great help in getting me fast and getting me to the front. Dillon and Barry have been a lot of help in teaching me.”
While Day was not able to get the victory on March 31st, her electrifying performance in the race has given her confidence about being able to race for wins this season as she looks ahead to 25 laps on Saturday night.
Siblings Caleb Day (83) and Emily Day (71) battle for the lead in a Legends race at Southern National Motorsports Park. (Josh Parrish photo)
“I’m looking forward to the next race,” Day commented. “That last race was my first race being out front. I got those nerves behind me and I’m looking forward to this next race. Looking forward to being fast and competitive, running up front and, hopefully, getting some wins this season.”
Off the track, Emily Day is also a cheerleader for her high school in Garner. On track, as of now, Day is keeping her focus on the Legends division, but may decide to keep racing and moving up in the years ahead.
“I plan to do Legends for the next couple years and see how it goes from there,” Day remarked. “I might decide to move up in upcoming years but I’m just taking it year-by-year right now.”
Day will be back in action, racing with Dillon Spain Motorsports in the Legends division on Saturday, April 14th in the WHELEN Spring Fling presented by Thrifty Tire Service Center. In addition to the Legends division, the Spring Fling will feature twin races for Late Model Stock Cars as well as the Charger, Mini-Stock, Bandolero and Any Car divisions.
The green flag will fly on the WHELEN Spring Fling presented by Thrifty Tire Service Center, which is the first night race of 2018 at Southern National Motorsports Park, at 7pm.
For more information about Southern National Motorsports Park, check out SNMP’s website at www.snmpark.com, “like” Southern National Motorsports Park on Facebook or “follow” @SNM_Park on Twitter.
