NASCAR Driver Corey Heim Attacked by Rival Team After On-Track Incident.
Multiple Chad Bryant Racing crew members punched Corey Heim outside a hot dog stand at Martinsville Speedway after Saturday's ValleyStar Credit Union 300 Late Model race. Team owner Chad Bryant was among those involved in the confrontation.
- Heim finished third; Caden Kvapil won the race.
- Video shows Heim backing away and not throwing punches during the altercation.
- Heim later posted a photo of the hot dog stand sign, calling it his new 'office piece.'
- 23XI Racing plans to field Heim full-time in the No. 35 Toyota starting in 2027.
Why it matters: The confrontation began with on-track contact. Late in the race, Lapcevich moved toward Heim in turn 1 during the cool-down lap. Heim then drove over the front end of Lapcevich's car, wrecking both vehicles.
- Denny Hamlin called the attacking crew members 'cowards' and demanded at least a year-long pit lane ban for those involved.
- Lapcevich said he was heading to Heim's location to talk, not fight, and that his team acted without him.
How 4 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage agrees on the basic facts but differs on how much attention to place on Hamlin's response versus the on-track sequence that triggered the fight.
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center focuses on Hamlin's angry public demand for punishment and the institutional question of who governs NASCAR's regional events.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right emphasizes the physical attack as a one-sided ambush of a rising star, highlighting Heim's composure and the viral video of the brawl.
What’s next: No suspensions or fines from NASCAR's regional series have been announced.
- Hamlin called on whoever runs NASCAR Regional to impose 'real rules' following the incident.
- Will NASCAR's regional series suspend or fine any crew members or Chad Bryant?
- Does the confrontation affect Heim's planned 2027 full-time debut with 23XI Racing?