Corey Heim Declared Winner At Daytona After Parker Kligerman’s Truck Failed Post-Race Inspection
by Hunter Thomas February 15, 2025 1 commentDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Corey Heim was declared the winner of the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway after Parker Kligerman’s truck was too low in the rear during post-race tech inspection.
On the final lap of the race, top-running drivers crashed along the backstretch, and Heim zig-zagged through the mayhem to move into the second position behind Kligerman. As the two drivers exited Turn 4, another crash ignited, and the caution came out before Heim could challenge for the win; however, following post-race Kligerman was disqualified, and Heim was named the winner.
“Well, it is my first time having this kind of scenario happening either way, so certainly glad to be on the right side of it,” Heim said. “It sucks for Parker (Kligerman) and those guys. It seemed like they put themselves in a position at the right time to win the race, but obviously, there is another level to it after the race. Grateful to be in the spot to take advantage of that. Huge props to everyone at TRICON Garage, Toyota, Safelite – first win under the Toyota GAZOO Racing banner, so that is cool. We will move to Atlanta and try to get another one.”
Heim ran up front all race long, finishing out Stage 1 fifth and Stage 2 in eighth. The driver of the TRICON Garage No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro was surprised at how clean the majority of the race had been up until the final lap.
“Nothing short of crazy there the last 20 laps,” Heims aid. “Honestly, pretty impressed with everyone that we kept it straight for as long as we did. They piled it up a little bit on the last lap. Compared to last year, it was such a big upgrade as far as the quality of racing. I was definitely out of control there at the end, being three-wide middle and old tires, being free. Hats off to Gio (Ruggiero) and Tanner (Gray). William (Sawalich) was up there with us at the end, and everybody did a really good job at TRICON Garage.”
Heim’s teammate, Ruggiero finished second in his debut start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“It feels good,” Ruggiero said. “Was looking for more there. But it’s Daytona and everybody is trying to win. I had a blast tonight. These TRICON Garage Tundras are so fast. The whole team performed really well. Everything is pretty new for me doing live pit stops and all but I’m looking forward to the season and looking forward to Atlanta.”
On the final lap, Ruggiero tucked in behind Heim as they sliced through the pack in the middle lane. The experience was thrilling for the young driver as he competed in his first superspeedway race on the national series level.
“Stuff happens quick here,” Ruggiero said. “I was leading that pack for a couple laps, and I think five or six to go is when I lost the lead there. I knew it was coming, and I knew they were going to have lines forming up and that it was going to get crazy. I’m just glad we could hang on and have a strong finish and a good truck there for the end.”
Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger and Justin Haley rounded out the top-five. Completing the top-10 was Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Jason M. White, William Sawalich and Frankie Muniz.
Ben Rhodes won Stage 1, and Matt Crafton won Stage 2.
There were only eight cautions for 33 laps. There were two “big ones”, and they each involved seven drivers.
On Lap 84, Jack Wood got turned into the outside wall on the backstretch, and a chain reaction ignited. Most notably, Rhodes and Crafton, who had been strong all night, were involved and so was Rajah Caruth. The second big crash occurred on the final lap as the leaders were racing towards the finish.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 22 for the FR8 208. Live coverage of the second race of the season will broadcast on FS1 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Mitchell White/TheFourthTurn.com
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