Parker Kligerman wins Fresh From Florida 250 after a wild night at Daytona International Speedway. Starting deep in the field, he battled through chaos and took control when it mattered most. A massive wreck changed everything, shaking up the leaders and clearing a path for an unexpected finish. Rookie Gio Ruggiero made a big statement, while Ty Majeski left with a slim points lead. What happened in those final laps that turned the race upside down? The full story unfolds ahead.
Key Highlights
- Parker Kligerman won the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona, marking his fourth career victory in the Craftsman Truck Series.
- Kligerman started the race in 23rd position and drove the No. 75 Chevrolet Silverado to victory.
- The race featured “The Big One” on lap 83, involving multiple contenders and causing significant mayhem.
- Kligerman’s win was secured after a dramatic finish with 12 laps remaining, despite several lead changes.
- Rookie Gio Ruggiero achieved an impressive third place in his debut, while Ty Majeski now leads the points standings.
Parker Kligerman’s Victory
Although Parker Kligerman is no longer a full-time competitor in NASCAR, his resolve to succeed remains unaltered, as evidenced by his recent victory in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona.
Piloting the No. 75 Chevrolet Silverado, Kligerman exhibited tactical insight and resilience, starting from 23rd on the grid and executing a calculated race that led him to his fourth career win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This success marked his return to victory lane, the initial since his Mid-Ohio win in 2022, showing his enduring competitiveness despite a reduced racing schedule.
Kligerman’s ability to navigate the chaotic final laps of the race was pivotal, as he expertly navigated through the field to lead the final two laps.
“Biggest win of my entire life .I’m out of breath, I can’t believe it.” – Parker Kligerman
This is what it means to win at @DAYTONA. pic.twitter.com/3PZFABuHzI
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 15, 2025
This victory highlights his skill and serves as a proof of his steadfast determination. Kligerman’s jubilant exclamation of it being the “biggest win” emphasizes the significance of this achievement.
Update: Parker Kligerman’s thrilling victory at Daytona quickly turned into heartbreak after NASCAR disqualified him for a post-race height violation. The celebration was short-lived as officials determined his truck was too low during the mandatory inspection.
Henderson Motorsports, the team behind Kligerman’s No. 75 truck, immediately pushed back against the ruling, announcing their intent to appeal.
Top Finishers and Rookie Performances
Following Parker Kligerman’s impressive victory in the Fresh From Florida 250, attention turns to the drivers who rounded out the top positions and the notable performances from rookies.
Corey Heim, in his No. 11 Toyota Tundra, secured a commendable runner-up finish, continuing his streak of top 10 finishes from last season. Rookie Gio Ruggiero, also from the TRICON Garage team, made an impressive debut by clinching bronze place, marking a strong start to his NASCAR National Series career.
2024 NASCAR Truck Series champion Ty Majeski and Championship Four contender Grant Enfinger completed the top five, both aiming for a successful return to Phoenix later in the season.
Justin Haley, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, and Jason White filled the next positions, with White achieving a personal best ninth-place finish.
William Sawalich, another rookie debutant, secured tenth place, showcasing potential as he prepares for further races in the ARCA Menards and NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Early Incidents and Stage Racing
As the 2025 Truck Series season roared to life, anticipation quickly turned to action as ThorSport Racing teammates Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski led the pack to the green flag.
However, before the race began, Connor Mosack‘s No. 81 Chevrolet faced mechanical issues, necessitating a tow to the garage. The race experienced its initial caution early on lap four when Kaden Honeycutt’s No. 45 spun from the lead, hitting the inside wall and ending his day prematurely.
.@KadenWHoneycutt gets loose in front of the field and slides into the inside wall! pic.twitter.com/vnKsQuq8pF
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 15, 2025
Following the restart:
- Rhodes and Tanner Gray initially led the field.
- Grant Enfinger seized the lead six laps before stage one’s end.
- Toni Breidinger experienced a spin similar to Honeycutt, losing a lap due to repairs.
- Rhodes secured the stage one win after a crucial push from Johnny Sauter.
Stage two saw Daniel Hemric and Justin Haley at the forefront, with Matt Crafton ultimately clinching the stage victory as ThorSport asserted dominance.
The Final Stage and ‘The Big One’
The final stage of the Fresh From Florida 250 kicked off with Corey Heim and Daniel Hemric skillfully leading the field, as the No. 19 truck surged into the lead. However, the stage was quickly interrupted when Tyler Ankrum’s engine failure brought out a caution. Dawson Sutton narrowly avoided disaster by spinning in the oil but continued unscathed.
After the restart, Chandler Smith took command, only for chaos to ensue during green flag pit stops. Grant Enfinger suffered considerable rear-end damage, compounded by a speeding penalty, which hindered his progress.
The race’s intensity escalated, culminating in “The Big One” on lap 83. A collision between Jack Wood and Ben Rhodes triggered a massive wreck, involving several contenders and unfortunately ending the races of Nathan Byrd and Rajah Caruth.
Big trouble down the backstretch!
Multiple trucks are involved! pic.twitter.com/EnRCVvMw1y
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 15, 2025
The Dramatic Finish and Standings
Despite the chaos that unfolded in the final laps, Parker Kligerman emerged victorious in the Fresh From Florida 250, marking a dramatic finale to the race.
The race resumed with 12 laps remaining after an extended caution, with Ruggiero in the lead. As the laps dwindled, the lead cycled through several drivers, with Bayley Currey and then Rhodes taking turns at the front.
However, contact between Rhodes and Sauter on the final lap altered the race’s course, allowing Kligerman to seize the lead. A subsequent spin involving Layne Riggs and other drivers prompted a caution flag, securing Kligerman’s win.
Key points from the race:
- Ty Majeski leads the points standings, just one point ahead of Heim and Chandler Smith.
- Layne Riggs earned a bonus point for the Xfinity Fastest Lap.
- The next NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race is at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 22.
- The race will be broadcast by FS1.
News in Brief: Parker Kligerman Wins Fresh From Florida 250
Parker Kligerman’s victorious win at the Fresh from Florida 250 was marked by his skilled navigation through late-race chaos, including surviving a massive wreck known as ‘The Big One.’ Key rookie performances highlighted the event, showing emerging talent in the field.
Despite early incidents and intense stage racing, Kligerman’s tactical expertise secured his victory. The race concluded with dramatic final laps that greatly impacted the standings, leaving fans enthusiastic to see how the season unfolds.
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