Parker Kligerman believed he was the winner of the Fresh from Florida 250 until the #75 Chevy failed post-race inspection. Corey Heim has been awarded the winner in what has become a quite controversial start to the 2025 NASCAR Season.
Kligerman Wins Truck Series Opener at Daytona, Fails Post Race Inspection, Corey Heim
Two nights in a row has the driver who cross the line first not won the race. First, Erik Jones in the second duel race, and now Parker Kligerman, who controlled the last lap of the Fresh from Florida 250, has been disqualified. The Henderson Motorsports #75 Chevrolet failed post-race inspection, specifically too low. A huge blow to a small team and a fan-favorite driver who has had two wins taken away from him.
Henderson Motorsports can appeal the disqualification.
NEWS: The No. 75 truck has been disqualified following post-race inspection at @DAYTONA for being too low in the rear.@CoreyHeim_ has been declared the winner of tonight’s race. pic.twitter.com/49lcYiEVMK
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 15, 2025
Kligerman was one lap away from a playoff-advancing win at the ROVAL last fall when NASCAR called the caution feet before the white flag. Kligerman has retired from full-time racing, running a part-time schedule with Henderson Motorsports and recently competing in the Rolex 24.
READ MORE: NASCAR’s Rolex 24 Report Card
Corey Heim begins title run at Daytona:
Finishing runner-up to Ty Majeski in 2024, Heim wants to prove himself in 2025. Well, a win to open up the season up the season is a surefire way to start with some positive momentum. Heim won six races in 2024 but did not win until the sixth race of the season in Austin. Heim did lose the regular season championship and the valuable bonus points that come along with it to Christian Eckes.
A good showing for his teammates, too. Rookie Gio Ruggiero finished on the podium in his debut, and the Xfinity Series racer took the 9th, now 8th, spot, rounding out the top ten for TRICON Garage.
Tanner Gray had a strong run until the last lap wrecks relegated him to a 23rd-place finish. Toni Breidinger got loose of turn four and hit the inside SAFER barrier. She repaired the damage, only to be collected in two wrecks during the race.
We’ll see you next time @DAYTONA pic.twitter.com/cKypN5EDLT
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) February 15, 2025
Great Finishes for Frankie Muniz and Reaume Bros on Full-Time Trucks Debut:
In the first race of his full-time Truck Series campaign and after the disqualification of Parker Kligerman, Frankie Muniz has been moved from his 11th-place finish to a top ten. Muniz spoke to Bob Pockrass following the race;
Frankie Muniz on 11th-place finish: “This is great. This is awesome.” @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/FdotcNLxMC
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 15, 2025
Reaume Brothers Racing had a great night. Josh Reaume finished 20th, now 19th. Teammate Jason White finished 9th, now 8th. Long-time Truck Series racer Norm Benning finished 17th. A solid finish for the small-time Truck Series teams.
Terrible Looks For NASCAR:
As Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi mentioned in their media day livestream, it is so important that this week goes smoothly. No winner determined by high-speed camera at the moment of caution, but two of three Daytona races completed, and we have seen two finishes and winners not determined by racing.
NASCAR just needs to have a clean race in both the coming United Rentals 300 and Daytona 500. No crazy race-ending caution determined by the scoring loop or winner disqualified. The fans deserve to see the driver who does the burnout and, grab the flag and hoist the trophy win the race.
Let’s hope that the coming races finish clean and the winners pass inspection.
