Corey Day ran over a manhole cover at Naval Base Coronado and it went right through the front of his car
For the first time ever, NASCAR is racing at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The course stretches 3.4-miles through the base itself.
Cars have already been on track with no issues. That includes yesterday’s NASCAR Truck Series race.
Related: NASCAR fan climbs fence onto NASCAR track during race (Video)
An estimated 150 manhole covers were welded down before the race weekend. One was either missed or more likely, the welds broke.
On lap 2 of the NASCAR O’Reilly Series race, a manhole cover went right through the front grille of Corey Day’s machine. The radiator was knocked out in the impact.
The No. 17 radio stated, “We got a manhole cover sitting in our radiator.”
Watch the video below.
The cover was blown into the air by the car ahead of Day. The No. 17 car was forced to pull to the garage.
NASCAR is allowing the team to make repairs to the nose of the No. 17. The crew is currently working to replace the radiator with hopes of rejoining the race.
The race is currently paused as NASCAR makes repairs to the track. They are welding multiple covers as others have been found loose.
Update
Day has made repairs during the red flag. And he’s returned without missing a single green flag lap.
Cars did circle the track for several laps under caution before the elected to throw the red. NASCAR has made the call to give Day his laps back. However, he still needs to pass the field four times under caution, to make it fair for the fuel and tire situation.
And, as Day was getting caught up to the field he nearly struck a safety truck that was going backwards on the track.
Day jumped on the team radio, “Please let me know if there’s anymore safety trucks driving backwards on the track.”
The race is now about to resume.
That video is also posted below.
Update: The race has since concluded.
San Diego Race Results: June 20, 2026 (NASCAR O’Reilly Series)
