NASCAR indefinitely suspends Chad Bryant and another crew member over Corey Heim fight

After a heated altercation at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Chad Bryant and CBR crew member Steven Civitarese for their involvement in a fight with Corey Heim. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, called for NASCAR to impose consequences on those involved in a one-sided dispute. The altercation began after a confrontation between Heim and Treyten Lapcevich at the end of the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 race.

Bryant was among the crew members who physically assaulted Heim, repeatedly hitting and punching him near the track's hot dog stand. Heim did not defend himself during the assault. NASCAR imposed a $2,000 fine on Bryant, a $1,000 fine on Civitarese, and placed both on probation for a year. Additionally, Bryant and Civitarese are suspended from the 2027 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 race at Martinsville.

Bryant must also complete mandatory anger management training through a NASCAR-approved program if he wishes to be reinstated. Ryden Lapcevich, brother of Treyten, was fined $500 and placed on probation until the end of the 2027 season. Other penalties included fines and probation for drivers involved in a fight following the heat races, as well as crew members from Chad Burrow's team.

In total, seven individuals were fined and two suspended as a result of these altercations. Hamlin criticized the CBR team members for ambushing Heim, calling them "f****** cowards" for cornering the NASCAR newcomer once he was isolated from his team.