The motorsport world has been awash with reactions following the controversial disqualification of Parker Kligerman at the Daytona Truck Series opener. Kligerman, who has unfortunately become a figure synonymous with racing heartbreaks, fought his way from the back of the field to the finish line, only to have his victory stripped away due to a contentious post-race inspection.
Despite the setback, Kligerman remains resilient. “I want to be at this level; I got to nail this restart,” he asserted after the incident. The decision to disqualify him and award the victory to Corey Heim has ignited frustration among NASCAR fans who rallied in support of Kligerman as he grappled with the loss.
Kligerman took to social media to express his disbelief and disappointment over the incident. “This has been one of the hardest weeks of my racing life. The truck raced legally, and won legally. Due to an unfortunate circumstance in tech, it was measured at an improper height,” he lamented. Kligerman also indicated plans to further discuss the situation on Landon Cassill’s The Money Lap podcast.
Many NASCAR fans have rallied behind Kligerman, expressing their dissatisfaction with the post-race inspections that can overturn victories. They questioned the rationale behind such inspections, especially after rigorous pre-race tech checks. The sentiment was echoed by a fan who voiced their frustration, saying, “If you spend all the money and time on pre-race tech, how can you expect a vehicle to be at a specific ride height after a race at Daytona?”
The controversy has also reignited debates about the post-race inspection rules implemented by NASCAR in 2019. These rules allow officials to disqualify cars that fail to meet specific measurements, a departure from the previous practice of imposing point deductions or fines. Kligerman’s disqualification isn’t the first; in 2019, Ross Chastain lost a hard-earned victory for a similar violation at the Iowa Speedway.
Despite the controversy, Kligerman’s career is far from finished. Having transitioned from full-time racing to broadcasting, he will be joining NBC Sports and the CW network to cover the Xfinity Series. Moreover, fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming appearance on The Money Lap podcast, where he will share more details about the Daytona disqualification.
The disqualification has triggered a wave of support for Kligerman on social media, with fans refusing to accept NASCAR’s decision and calling him a winner. One fan encapsulated the sentiment, saying, “Winner in my eyes. You did the damn thing, PK.” This is not helped by reports that NASCAR officials had instructed Kligerman’s team to make adjustments to pass the inspection, which allegedly led to their disqualification by a quarter of an inch.
Inconsistencies in NASCAR’s rulings have also been highlighted. One fan questioned, “If they 100% tech the vehicles before the race, there should be ZERO tech after a race unless parts are replaced during the race.” This lack of consistency was also evident in the Cup Series race, where fans raised eyebrows over the absence of a caution flag during a clear accident on the track.
Suggestions to circumvent the height rule have also emerged, with one fan humorously advising Kligerman to damage his car after winning the race. This idea stems from a belief among some fans that race-winning teams manipulate the ride height by intentionally damaging the vehicle during the cooldown lap.
Kligerman’s disqualification has undoubtedly sparked fierce debate within the NASCAR community. However, amid the controversy, the overwhelming support for him is a testament to his strong connection with fans. As one supporter reminded him, “You keep that flag, buddy. You earned it. NASCAR can NEVER admit to their mistakes.” Regardless of the official record, Kligerman remains a winner in the eyes of his fans.
