Kligerman’s Daytona Win Erased After NASCAR Disqualification \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Parker Kligerman initially won the NASCAR Truck Series season opener at Daytona, but his victory was overturned after a postrace inspection found his truck too low. Corey Heim was declared the new winner, and actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz earned his first career top-10 finish. Kligerman, now shifting to a full-time broadcasting role, plans to appeal the disqualification.
Kligerman’s Daytona Truck Series Win Voided After Disqualification: Quick Looks
- Daytona Drama: Parker Kligerman took the checkered flag but was later disqualified.
- Postrace Inspection Failure: NASCAR ruled Kligerman’s truck was too low, invalidating his victory.
- Corey Heim Awarded Win: Heim was declared the new race winner after the inspection.
- Frankie Muniz Earns First Top-10: The actor-turned-driver benefits from the standings adjustment.
- Kligerman Plans Appeal: He believes he has a “very valid case” to overturn the DQ.
- Transition to Broadcasting: Kligerman, a fan-favorite driver, is focusing on a full-time TV career.
Deep Look
The opening race of the NASCAR Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway delivered high drama, but not the kind Parker Kligerman expected.
The part-time driver and full-time television analyst initially won Friday night’s race, celebrating with his signature move—planting the checkered flag in the grass near the track logo. But hours later, NASCAR disqualified Kligerman when a postrace inspection revealed his truck was too low. Corey Heim was awarded the victory, making him the official season opener winner.
Kligerman’s Short-Lived Victory
Kligerman, 34, is no stranger to victory lane in the Truck Series, and Friday night’s triumph would have been his fourth career win—and his first since Mid-Ohio in 2022. He called it the “biggest win of my entire life” during an emotional postrace celebration.
“All of you fans here at Daytona, thank you so much!” Kligerman told the crowd. “God, I love this place. I love racing. I love winning.”
However, his joy was short-lived. Following the inspection, NASCAR stripped him of the win, ruling that his truck failed to meet height regulations.
Corey Heim Becomes Daytona Winner
With Kligerman disqualified, Corey Heim, who originally finished second, was declared the official winner. The ruling also had a ripple effect on the standings, helping Frankie Muniz—the former Malcolm in the Middle star turned full-time racer—earn his first career top-10 finish in the Truck Series.
Muniz, who is running the entire Truck Series season in 2024, has been working to establish himself as a serious competitor in motorsports.
Kligerman Plans to Appeal Disqualification
Kligerman, frustrated by the decision, announced on social media that he plans to appeal the disqualification, believing he has a strong case.
“Biggest win of my life. Thank y’all for the wonderful messages. Over 700 texts,” Kligerman wrote. “I will not be commenting any further until we are able to present what I believe is a very, very valid case.”
Despite his disappointment, Kligerman remained professional, focusing on his broadcasting duties for the Xfinity Series race the following day.
“Until then, I’m fully focused on my job (as Xfinity analyst) because the drivers and teams deserve the full focus on the massive stage ahead of them.”
A Career Shift: From Driver to Broadcaster
Kligerman’s career has spanned NASCAR’s top three series, though he never found sustained success in the Cup or Xfinity Series. Over 152 starts, he became a respected competitor, backed for years by Scott Borchetta, founder of Big Machine Label Group.
In late 2023, Kligerman decided to step away from full-time racing, pivoting to a growing career in broadcasting. The CW, which now holds exclusive rights to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has given Kligerman a larger role in race coverage. NBC Sports has also referred to him as “one of the youngest correspondents to ever serve as a pit reporter for a NASCAR Cup race.”
While he remains active as a part-time racer, his focus has shifted to the media side of the sport.
Not Kligerman’s First NASCAR Heartbreak
The Daytona disqualification marks Kligerman’s second major disappointment in recent months.
Last fall, he was on the verge of winning his first career Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval, which would have advanced him in the playoffs. But just seconds before he crossed the white flag, NASCAR threw a late caution, forcing the race into overtime. Kligerman ultimately lost the race.
Had he won, it would have been his first career Xfinity victory—an achievement that continues to elude him.
What’s Next for Kligerman?
While Kligerman intends to fight the Daytona ruling, history shows that NASCAR rarely overturns postrace disqualifications. If his appeal is denied, the Daytona win will remain void, and Corey Heim will keep his victory.
Despite the setback, Kligerman remains an active figure in the sport, balancing part-time racing with a growing broadcasting career. Whether he continues to chase victories on the track or fully embraces his media role, one thing is clear: his passion for NASCAR remains as strong as ever.
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