When you think of NASCAR drivers, you tend to think of good ol’ boys – white men – from deep in the American South. Israelis, not so much. But Alon Day is out to change that.
The 24-year-old Israeli racing driver started out in open wheels, first in Formula Renault and Formula 3 then in Indy Lights. He then tried his hand in the FIA GT Series before switching to NASCAR.
Day was named earlier this year to the NASCAR Next program for up-and-coming talents, and has been competing in the organization’s Whelen Euro Series this year, taking three wins already. But now he’s heading Stateside again to drive in the Xfinity Series.
He was given the chance when a Jewish fan in Florida determined his community needed more role models in motorsports. Put off by a Christian-centric invocation at a race earlier this year, Sarasota-based environmental lawyer David Levin arranged for Day to get a shot with MBM Motorsports.
The young Israeli is scheduled to race at Mid-Ohio and then at Road America – both road course races of the type Day is familiar, not held on speedways. That will mark the first time that an Israeli will drive in one of NASCAR’s main championships, even if it’s the second-tier Xfinity and not the top-level Sprint Cup.
Contrary to the USA Today report, Day will not be the first Jewish driver in NASCAR. Jon Denning competed in the Whelen All-American Series (not to be confused with the European version in which Alon Day competes) until retiring in 2008.
Day is joined on the motor racing scene as well by Roy Nissany, who is currently ranked second in the Formula V8 3.5 Series (formerly supported by Renault) and whose father Chanoch previously (though briefly) served as a test driver for the Minardi F1 team (now Toro Rosso).