NASCAR Truck Series: Why Daytona winner Parker Kligerman was disqualified

DAYTONA BEACH — Corey Heim still plans to celebrate this weekend.

“We won, right?” he said late Friday night. “Wouldn’t you celebrate?”

But it may not possess the same excitement as his first 11 NASCAR Truck Series victories.

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Heim originally placed second in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. He had retreated back to his hauler after the race, as winner Parker Kligerman partied in Victory Lane and smiled through his corresponding press conference.

Then, Kligerman got disqualified.

He failed post-race inspections. His No. 75 Henderson Motorsports machine sat too low in the rear on both sides.

The result?

Heim rose to the No. 1 spot on the leaderboard.

“It’s certainly not as thrilling as winning the race on the racetrack,” the 22-year-old said after suddenly being pulled in for a victory media session. “But I don’t know. I’ve been on the wrong side of it several times in my late-model career. It’s cool to kind of get a big win like that, I guess.”

Kligerman and Heim fronted the pack before a last-lap wreck captured several cars and brought out a yellow flag. Kligerman led when the caution arrived.

“Biggest win of my entire life,” he yelled moments after getting out of his truck.

More than an hour later, Heim was declared the victor. Kligerman’s ride was the only one in the field to flunk inspection.

Henderson Motorsports announced on social media that it will appeal the decision.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR Truck Series: Parker Kligerman DQ’d at Daytona. Corey Heim wins