Parker Kligerman’s disqualification handed Corey Heim a dramatic victory in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona.
The Tricon Garage driver was declared the winner of the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway following Kligerman’s disqualification due to a post-race inspection failure despite initially taking the checkered flag.
Kligerman’s No. 75 Chevrolet was found to be too low on both sides at the rear, leading to the disqualification which handed Corey Heim his first Daytona victory and the 12th of his career.
The Fresh From Florida 250 race which commenced at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, February 14 was a chaotic superspeedway event lasting two hours, 33 minutes, and eight seconds. It featured eight caution flags that consumed 33 laps.
The final lap witnessed a multicar wreck in Turn 4 resulting in a caution that froze the field and initially appeared to secure Kligerman’s win. However, the post-race inspection revealed the infraction that led to Kligerman’s disqualification.
“Nothing short of crazy there the last 20 laps,” Corey Heim said after being declared the winner. “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…. Definitely was out of control there at the end, being three-wide middle on old tires, being free.”
Heim also expressed sympathy for Kligerman’s disqualification stating: “Well, it’s my first time having this kind of scenario happening either way, so certainly glad to be on the right side of it.”
“It sucks for Parker 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.”
The disqualification elevated Sunoco rookie of the year contender Giovanni Ruggiero to a runner-up finish in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut. Ruggiero, driving the No. 17 Toyota for Tricon Garage, led 11 laps and managed to avoid the late-race chaos.
“This is my first time on a superspeedway in anything, so it was a lot of stuff for me to take in tonight,” Ruggiero said. “Drafting in the pack, side-drafting and leading the pack as well, so I definitely learned a lot for Atlanta.”
Reigning series champion Ty Majeski finished third, followed by Grant Enfinger, who recovered from damage and a pit road speeding penalty to secure fourth place while Justin Haley rounded out the top five.
The race saw a total of 30 lead changes among multiple drivers. Ben Rhodes, who started on pole, led the most laps with 12. Other drivers who spent time at the front included Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Michael McDowell, and Bayley Currey.
Several other drivers had notable performances. Chandler Smith finished seventh ahead of Daniel Hemric in eighth while Jason White and William Sawalich rounded out the top 10. Frankie Muniz finished 11th, followed by Timmy Hill and Jake Garcia.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener was marked by several incidents. Kaden Honeycutt spun and slammed the inside wall, causing a caution. Toni Breidinger also spun off turn four, making contact with the inside wall and bringing out another caution.
A late-race wreck in Turn 4 involved multiple trucks, adding to the drama with Matt Crafton, Rajah Caruth, and Michael McDowell among those collected in a late-race incident.
The Fresh From Florida 250 marked Kligerman’s return to part-time racing, as he stepped away from full-time competition to focus on broadcasting duties with The CW in the Xfinity Series. He had previously won at Talladega in 2012 and 2017, and at Mid-Ohio in 2022.
With the win, Corey Heim leads the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings with 49 points ahead of Ty Majeski in second with 46 points, followed by Chandler Smith with 45. Giovanni Ruggiero’s runner-up finish puts him sixth in the standings with 36 points.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series continues on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Fr8 208.
