Denny Hamlin responds to controversial Parker Kligerman disqualification at Daytona

One of the more high-drama moments over the weekend that was in Daytona was Parker Kligerman reaching Victory Lane in the NASCAR Truck Series race on Friday night, only to have post-race inspection take it all of that away from him.

The fan-favorite Kligerman was disqualified for missing ride height post-race. Henderson Motorsports is appealing the decision from NASCAR, but as of now, the victory has gone to Corey Heim. It’s sparked some tremendous debate throughout the motorsports world, and Denny Hamlin added his two cents.

During the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin responded to the unfortunate development for Kligerman, wondering if the decision will be overturned due to his appeal when the matter is all said and done.

“I had some conversations with them. I’ll let the appeal play out. … I’m not educated enough on it. I would just be assuming. What I do know is that they had their car chief ejected through the first round of tech, when they unloaded, so they were already short on people. But you just never know what can happen to your vehicle during the course of a race or anything like that. So, I don’t know.

“I just know that he feels very adamant that there was nothing wrong with his vehicle, and the procedures in which they took, the NASCAR officials took, post-race, I think they’re in large disagreements with. They probably believe that caused the back of his vehicle to be too low. So, I don’t know, you just have to kind of wait on the facts on that one.

“But that blows for him. I mean, it’s such a tough thing for him, because he’s maybe going to win an Xfinity race and that didn’t work. And we were talking about like, ‘When’s the caution getting thrown?’ And then now this Truck race, where you went on the biggest stage at the biggest track, and he has a chance to lose that, as well.”

While Hamlin has some sympathy for Kligerman, he’s happy the 34-year-old kept the flag. That was Hamlin’s one piece of advice for having to deal with a disqualification.

“Always keep the flag,” Hamlin added. “Guys, if you get disqualified, do not give up the flag. They’ll ask for the trophy back, but tell them if they want another flag, you better print another one, because I’m taking that home.”

Maybe Parker Kligerman will see his luck turn around, and NASCAR will return his victory to his resume. Until then, Denny Hamlin and the rest of the motorsports world will be watching.