Corey Day edges Kvapil for NASCAR victory in Las Vegas

Corey Day beat Carson Kvapil by 0.287 seconds to win the Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3, earning his third NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory.

The pair exchanged the lead four times over the final 12 laps. Day made the decisive pass with two laps remaining, using the outside line after brushing the wall during their late duel.

The Hendrick Motorsports rookie started from pole, won the opening stage and led 136 of the 201 laps. Jesse Love finished third behind Day and Kvapil, according to NASCAR’s report.

Kvapil moved into second in the championship standings, 19 points behind Sheldon Creed, who finished 13th. Day climbed to fifth with five races remaining.

Postrace inspection confirmed Day’s win. NASCAR also disqualified Brandon Jones’ No. 20 Toyota for four or more lug nuts not being safely secured, moving the car to last place.

The series next races on the Charlotte oval, with its first fall event on that configuration since 2017. Day’s Vegas victory followed earlier wins at Talladega and Dover this season.