By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
Journeyman driver Stefan Parsons will drive part-time for Henderson Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2024.
The second-generation driver is set to take over the No. 75 Food Country USA Chevrolet Silverado RST from Parker Kligerman beginning at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Kligerman first joined the team that is one of the staples of the Truck Series in 2016. From 2016 through 2023 Henderson Motorsports earned two victories, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Talladega Superspeedway, seven top-five, and 25 top-10 finishes.
Although Parsons is taking over the No. 75 from Kligerman, Henderson Motorsports team co-owner Don Henderson is hopeful to work with the Westport, CT native in the future. Kligerman is scheduled to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Big Machine Racing.
Like Kligerman at Henderson, Parsons has made the most of his opportunities. The Cornelius, N.C. native has one top-10 finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Alpha Prime Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2022. Parsons has been competitive in each opportunity he’s had, turning heads in underfunded equipment.
The 25-year-old has seven top-15 finishes in Xfinity competing for Alpha Prime and B.J. McLeod Motorsports. Parsons also had some strong runs that were cut short due to factors outside of his control, including Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2022. His No. 45 Chevrolet was inside the top-10 when it was swept up in an accident with under 15 laps to go.
“We’re excited to welcome Stefan Parsons, a young talented racer, to our family,” said Henderson. “Stefan has done a fantastic job with his previous opportunities, and we’re honored to provide him (with) an opportunity to drive the No. 75 Chevrolet this season.
“We’re also grateful for our friendship and continued working relationship with Parker Kligerman. Parker has shined during some of our best moments and memories in racing. He has become family to us, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with him again in the future.”
Henderson Motorsports has competed in NASCAR since 1982. In the team’s only full seasons in Xfinity, 1987 and 1992, the team finished seventh in points with Brad Teague and Butch Miller respectively. Henderson Motorsports also has three wins in Xfinity, one with Teague and two with Rick Wilson, in addition to Kligerman’s two Truck Series victories.
“The opportunity to drive the No. 75 Chevrolet for the Henderson family and Food Country USA is truly special,” said Parsons. “The Henderson family has a lot of history in motorsports. They have done it their way and done it successfully. Chris Carrier has done an incredible job building race-winning trucks for many years. I am excited to write my own chapter in the Henderson Motorsports story, beginning at Daytona in February.”
Much like the Henderson family and their team, Parsons’ family have a long history in NASCAR. Stefan Parsons’ uncle, Benny Parsons, was the 1973 NASCAR Cup Series champion and is a Hall of Fame inductee. Stefan Parsons’ father, Phil Parsons is a two-time Xfinity Series winner, has one Cup Series win, and is a NASCAR on FOX analyst for the Truck Series.
Stefan Parsons’ first race with Henderson Motorsports, the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona is scheduled for Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.