Alon Day, an Israeli racecar driver competing in Florida, found himself torn between the track and his family in Israel after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian targets. He spoke openly about the strain of being a new father and an athlete while his loved ones ride out retaliatory missile alerts, and he expressed clear support for the U.S. and Israeli military response.
Day was in the United States for the CUBE 3 Architecture Trans Am 2 Series when the strikes began, and he described the mental tug between the race and his responsibilities at home. The moment was sharp: professional commitment on one side and urgent family concern on the other.
“It’s kind of a tricky situation. I’m here racing in the United States and at the same moment, my wife, my kid and everybody is in Israel,” said Day to Fox News Digital.
“It’s so complicated to think about everything. And now, when I’m a fresh dad, I want to be there. I want to be there with my family and everything. It’s extremely nervous to be here. My phone is always ringing with alarms of the ballistic missiles coming in Israel.
“It’s a bit tough. I’m here on a mission and I’m very happy that I have the opportunity to actually race here in the United States.”
Saturday’s operations hit multiple nuclear and military facilities, and Israeli forces later said they struck targets in Tehran connected to Iran’s leadership, a development that has reshaped the region overnight. The strikes and the ensuing escalation changed the stakes for civilians across the Middle East and for Israelis watching alerts on their phones.
“Probably, yeah,” said Day while speaking to Fox News Digital about whether or not he was under the belief that the region would obtain more peace. “I’m getting so many messages from random Iranian people, saying ‘Thank you Israel, thank you United States. We are going through a different kind of era right now.’ Something is changing. We cannot even think about what the implication of losing the war will be. If the Iranian people lose this war, they’re going to have a really bad time with the Iranian regime.
“I feel like this is a good opportunity. But I’m not a politician. I’m not a military guy. I’m just a racecar driver. I’m on a mission and the mission is to win races as much as possible for JSSI and to bring the Israel flag here and to show how great allies Israel and the United States are together.”
Day has driven in NASCAR’s Cup Series and other American series, and he made clear he has no plan to abandon his 2026 campaign despite the stress at home. He respects the platform racing gives him to represent Israel and the United States on a global stage.
“Listen, I was born in 1991 – the Gulf War. I’ve been through the Intifada, Hamas, Hezbollah, everything,” explained Day. “Every person in Israel grew up into this, those kind of war situations. It’s very sad to say that, but we’re kind of used to that and we need to live with that.
“And it is what it is. I think now, specifically now, it’s for a good reason.”
He offered explicit gratitude toward the militaries engaged in the operation, framing their actions as necessary defense against an authoritarian regime that threatens regional stability. Day did not mince words about who he believes is on the right side of this fight.
“I want to take this opportunity also to thank the U.S. military forces and the Israel military forces for what they’re doing to keep us safe and for a better future fighting against evilness.
“I think everything is for a bright future in front of us. I really want to take the opportunity and thank everybody, every person who is fighting against the Iranian regime. It is for a good reason, so I want to really thank them.”
On the track, Day will keep pursuing results; off the track, he’ll keep watching alerts and waiting on updates from home. His comments reflect the mindset of many who back decisive action to stop threats before they metastasize, and they underline why American support for allies matters in volatile moments.
