By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Despite being involved in two late-race incidents, Parker Kligerman rebounded to earn a top-10 finish at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course.
Eventful Run
On a restart on lap 35, Kligerman lined up inside the top-10 in his No. 75 Food Country USA Chevrolet Silverado. The Henderson Motorsports driver was on the outside lane and was forced wide off turn one. Kligerman plummeted down the running order before another caution waved when Derek Kraus stalled on lap 40.
The ensuing restart of the Sunoco 159 was just as chaotic. Behind Kligerman, Natalie Decker, Carson Hocevar, and Cory Roper crashed. The race remained green as the NASCAR on NBC reporter battled Ben Rhodes and Alex Tagliani for position.
As the trio entered the bus stop, Tagliani’s No. 51 Rona / Viagra Toyota Tundra broke loose. He hit Rhodes’ No. 99 Tenda Heal Ford F-150, sending both NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series drivers spinning. As Tagliani spun, he clipped Kligerman’s left rear. The 30-year-old spun into the tire barrier before the caution waved for an unrelated incident.
Rebound
In overtime, Kligerman roared through the field. After restarting mid-pack, he muscled his way by several trucks. On the final lap, he battled Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, and Scott Lagasse Jr. Kligerman re-entered the top-10 coming to the checkered flag. As he finished the final lap in eighth, Eckes spun across Friesen’s nose. The Toyota Racing driver’s splitter dug into the grass, destroying the truck.
“I finished eighth, probably had a shot for the top-three,” Kligerman explained to NASCAR on NBC. “I got spun out once or twice in the race. It was a struggle to find grip out there today.”
Early Race
Although Kligerman didn’t finish either stage inside the top-10, he raced up front throughout the race. The Westport, CT native ran inside the top-five throughout the race. With Kligerman not competing full-time, crew chief Chris Carrier pitted the No. 75 prior to each stage end to get track position late.
Stats
The eighth-place finish is the second top-10 finish for Kligerman in four starts this season. It is also the 38th top-10 of his Truck Series career. The eighth-place finish is the best for Kligerman this season and his second consecutive top-10 finish in the series.
The top-10 finish is also the 12th in the Truck Series for Henderson Motorsports.
Kligerman’s remaining Truck Series schedule is unclear with his commitments to NASCAR on NBC.
Photo by NKP / NKP Photo
