Parker Kligerman Living ‘Incredible Life’, Makes Daytona 500

By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Parker Kligerman is back in the Daytona 500 field.

For the first time five years, the 28-year-old will start the Great American Race after racing his way into the event in the Gander RV Duel at Daytona International Speedway Thursday night.

Driving the No. 96 Toyota for Gaunt Brothers Racing, the racer turned TV personality capped off the stressful week with a spot in the 500.

“To race in is so cool,” Kligerman said. “Landon Cassill once told me that the best feeling he’s ever had in a racecar is when he raced in the Daytona 500. The days leading up to this are literally some of the worst days of your life. All of a sudden, in a split second you cross the finish line and you’re in, the whole world becomes bright and clear again. Everything is better.”

Ryan Truex was the man on the outside, losing the race to Kligerman near the rear of the field. Though the two were competitors on the track, Kligerman felt “bittersweet” crossing the checkered flag.

“It comes at the expense of a good friend of mine, Ryan Truex,” he said. “I know we had a lot of ribbing back and forth on social media. It’s all in good fun to bring attention to this race like we should. We’re trying to entertain people, this is about being a show and getting people to watch. But when I crossed the line and knew I was in, it was a bit bittersweet that it’s at his expense.”

Making what will be his 15th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday, Kligerman is grateful for the life he gets to live. Not only a racer but his show “Proving Grounds” has started shooting its second season for NBCSN.

“I’m probably not supposed to tell you but I don’t care, I’m too excited,” he said. “I have a damn TV show, that’s pretty cool. I’m on TV all the time, racing cars full-time, I’m 28 years old. This is an incredible life, I can’t believe it.”

It will be the third Daytona 500 apperance for the Gaunt team, with a previous best finish of 24th in 2018.