NASCAR responded to a heated incident at Martinsville Speedway involving Corey Heim, the latest addition to 23XI Racing. Denny Hamlin, who co-owns the team with Michael Jordan, urged NASCAR to sanction those responsible for the lopsided confrontation.
Following an incident with Treyten Lapcevich at the conclusion of the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 — a notable NASCAR Regional late‑model event — and additional contact after the checkered flag, Heim was approached by members of Lapcevich’s Chad Bryant Racing crew. Chad Bryant himself participated in the physical assault on Heim.
They struck Heim repeatedly with punches near the hot dog concession, while Heim refrained from defending himself.
As a consequence, NASCAR handed down an indefinite suspension to team owner Chad Bryant and CBR crew member Steven Civitarese for their involvement. Bryant also received a $2,000 fine, Civitarese a $1,000 fine, and both were placed on probation for one year.
NASCAR further announced that Bryant and Civitarese are barred from participating in the 2027 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville.
Furthermore, Bryant must complete mandatory anger‑management training via a NASCAR‑approved program before any potential reinstatement.
NASCAR also penalized Ryden Lapcevich, brother of Treyten (who was driving the CBR entry and was not involved in the fight), issuing him a $500 fine and placing him on probation through the end of the 2027 season.
Other penalties
The sanctions extended beyond the Heim incident. After the heat races, drivers Brad Houseright and Chad Burrow clashed, leaving one driver bloody. Each received a $250 fine and probation through the 2027 season. Additionally, Burrow‑associated crew members Ryan Burrow and Dylan Jenks were each fined $500 and placed on probation for the same period. Unlike the Bryant‑Heim case, no suspensions were issued for this altercation.
In total, seven individuals were fined and two were suspended due to these two incidents.
On his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin denounced the CBR crew who ambushed Heim as “f****** cowards,” criticizing how they cornered and confronted NASCAR’s newest Brickyard 400 winner after he was isolated from his teammates.