Parker Kligerman has broken his silence after being disqualified from the Daytona 500.
In a statement released on social media, Kligerman thanked his fans for the overwhelming support he received. He posted to X (formerly Twitter):
Biggest win of my life. Thank you all for the wonderful messages. Over 700 textsI will not be commenting any further until we are able to present what I believe is a very, very valid case.Until then, I’m fully focused on my job with @TheCW_Sports and @NASCAR_Xfinity because… pic.twitter.com/L8cfSoUL8q
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) February 15, 2025
“Biggest win of my life. Thank you all for the wonderful messages. Over 700 texts.
“I will not be commenting any further until we are able to present what I believe is a very, very valid case.
“Until then, I’m fully focused on my job with @TheCW_Sports and @NASCAR_Xfinity because the drivers and teams deserve the full focus on the massive stage ahead of them.”
The controversy began when Kligerman crossed the finish line first at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Fresh From Florida 250. However, post-race inspections revealed a violation in the vehicle’s setup. Specifically, the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado was found to be below the legal ride height on both sides.
This infringed upon NASCAR’s regulations, resulting in Kligerman’s disqualification.
Though he initially seemed to secure his fourth career victory, the win was officially awarded to Corey Heim after the inspection findings. This became Heim’s 12th victory in the series, leading to mixed emotions.
“It’s my first time having this kind of scenario happening, either way. Certainly glad to be on the right side of it,” he said. He then turned his attention to the unfortunate turn of events for Kligerman.
“It sucks for Parker and those guys.”
More News: Parker Kligerman Loses Daytona Victory After Shock Disqualification
The disqualification had subtantial consequences for the final standings of the race. The reshuffling saw rookie Gio Ruggiero move up to second place after Kligerman’s relegation, and other drivers like Ty Majeski and Grant Enfinger advanced in the order as well.
The race saw dramatic final moments, where Kligerman initially took the lead following an intense battle with Ben Rhodes, catalyzed by a well-timed bump draft from Layne Riggs. The resulting chaos triggered a late-race collision involving several drivers, including Tanner Gray, who saw his position changed by the adjustments post-disqualification.
But why was the car disqualified for a ride height issue? These specific rules are crucial because deviations can lead to significant aerodynamic advantages.
More News: Henderson Motorsports Releases Statement After Daytona Disqualification
In light of the current situation, Henderson Motorsports has announced its intention to appeal the disqualification. While appeals in NASCAR are not uncommon, they rarely result in overturned decisions once penalties are issued.
Even Corey Heim, reflecting on his own experiences, shared, “I’ve been on the wrong side of it several times in my Late Model career, but it’s cool to kind of get a big win like that, I guess.”
Looking at the upcoming schedule, the next event on the NASCAR calendar is the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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