![\"Call](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Split-Image-heim-lapcevich.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Heim and Lapcevich collided on the last lap.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorey Heim and Lapcevich collided on the last lap.<\/p>\n
Heim was racing in the NASCAR-sanctioned ValleyStar Credit Union 300 as part of the NASCAR Local Racing Series on Sunday (AEST).<\/p>\n
On the final lap, third-placed Heim made contact with second-placed Treyten Lapcevich and shuffled him out of the way to snatch the runner-up spot.<\/p>\n
After taking the chequered flag, Lapcevich went side-by-side with Heim entering the first turn and the pair made contact.<\/p>\n
Heim\u2019s Late Model Stock Car rode over the front left corner of Lapcevich\u2019s car and into the outside wall.<\/p>\n
Post-race, Heim was attacked by Chad Bryant Racing crew members at the circuit\u2019s famous hot dog stand.<\/p>\n
Footage circulated on social media showed Heim did not retaliate and reacted to the onslaught with bemusement.<\/p>\n
Hamlin, who co-owns the 23XI Racing team that Heim races for, called for NASCAR to come down hard on the assailants.<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udd2f BIG COLLISION after the checkered flag between Treyten Lapcevich & Corey Heim at Martinsville!#VSCU300<\/a> | September 25-26 | Live on FloRacing \ud83d\udcfa pic.twitter.com\/jHy8CX9QBL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FloRacing (@FloRacing) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Although not racing under the 23XI Racing banner at Martinsville, Heim appeared in a 23XI Racing suit at the event.<\/p>\n \u201cThose fucking cowards waited on Corey Heim to leave his car and leave his team and then jump him while he was on the way to his hauler,\u201d said Hamlin on Actions Detrimental.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know who\u2019s in charge of NASCAR Regional, but there is absolutely no way that any of those guys should be in a pit lane for the next year at least.<\/p>\n \u201cI want them to say publicly what they do to them, and if it\u2019s nothing I will have a major problem. None of those cowards should be in a pit lane in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said to them I\u2019m not trying to fight.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got to get control of the whole Martinsville thing because it\u2019s spiralling out of control.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know who\u2019s in charge of it, but they\u2019ve got to do better and really put some real rules down.<\/p>\n \u201c[If] we\u2019re going to have fights then this will be your last Martinsville for quite some time or short track race you\u2019re going to attend for quite some time.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got no respect for those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n FIGHT AT THE HOTDOG STAND!<\/p>\n FIGHT AT THE @MARTINSVILLESWY<\/a> HOTDOG STAND!!!#VSCU300<\/a> | September 25-26 | Live on FloRacing \ud83d\udcfa pic.twitter.com\/ZOqO2bnVAH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FloRacing (@FloRacing) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In the hours after Hamlin\u2019s comments, Lapcevich issued a statement condemning the attack.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened with Corey after the race was wrong, and it should not have happened,\u201d Lapcevich said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I was not involved in the incident, I want to be clear that I do not condone any actions that took place.<\/p>\n \u201cEmotions can run high after a race, and I was certainly frustrated and upset following Saturday night.<\/p>\n \u201cI planned on having a conversation with Corey following the race; however, there is a clear line between being angry about what happens on the racetrack and allowing that frustration to become physical.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened after the race for sure crossed that line. No matter the circumstances, frustration from a race never justifies putting your hands on another competitor.<\/p>\n \u201cI am glad Corey was able to walk away from the situation okay. Those actions were unacceptable, and they do not reflect who I am as a person or as a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n While Hamlin didn\u2019t see the funny side, Heim took the altercation in his stride.<\/p>\n Taking to X, he wrote \u201cSolid effort, but at least make it count next time\u201d alongside a face with tears of joy emoji.<\/p>\n In another post, Heim revealed he had taken possession of the hot dog stand\u2019s menu, which ironically reads \u201cA half mile of mayhem\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cNew office piece,\u201d Heim wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cPoor thing took a beating this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s the second high-profile fight to engulf NASCAR after the wild scenes involving Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney at Bristol. NASCAR elected not to punish either driver in that instance.<\/p>\n Fan vote to decide SVG livery for NASCAR finale<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t