NASCAR
Parker Kligerman Unofficially Wins Daytona Xfinity Race in JRM 88
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Call it redemption, a weird historic footnote, or even more JR Motorsports Xfinity Series domination. The injured Connor Zilisch took the green flag at Daytona, only to hand over the No. 88 Chevrolet to super sub Parker Kligerman. Just like the Truck race here in February, PK was first to the finish once again. Despite this, NASCAR record books will call this another win for Zilisch. Either way, a very heartfelt celebration began on the Daytona frontstretch grass.
Starting first after polesitter Connor Zilisch dropped to the rear, Sammy Smith led the majority of Stage 1. This run was halted by a rain shower that saw Zilisch get out of his car for relief driver Parker Kligerman. Stage 2 would likewise go to Justin Allgaier as a wreck ensued behind him.
Much of the final Stage was a back and forth affair between two winless contendersāSheldon Creed and Ryan Sieg. After the No. 39 was sent spinning across the pack late, an overtime finish occurred pitting Kligerman against three-time Daytona winner Austin Hill. The RCR No. 21 did not get up to speed on the restart, giving Kligerman clear track ahead. The 88 remained out front when a last lap crash ensued, sealing another victory for JR Motorsports.
“It’s different in every way, because I didn’t expect to get a call from Dale Jr.,” Kligerman said. “It happened on a day I was leaving to go on vacation. He said ‘hey man, would you come drive this thing?’ Obviously hate the circumstances for Connor, he’s an amazing generational talent and I feel honored to have gotten the call and grace the seat that he and Kyle Larson’s been in. I knew I had to hold up my end of the bargain. Thank you to Justin Allgaier, man he was a real teammate. We go way back, that meant a lot. Sammy Smith at the end gave me some great pushes, that helped a ton. Great testament to this team, the 88 team’s been on fire all year. But for me, it’s such a me thing that this will not be on Racing Reference at all. I’m still gonna count it as a win, I’m still taking the checkered flag. We still get the check of course, this is just really cool. To do it with a guy who younger me would have never thought I’d even speak to him let alone drive one of his racecars is just a dream come true.”
Kligerman led a JRM 1-2-3 effort at Daytona, ahead of the aforementioned Sammy Smith and Justin Allgaier. Jesse Love and Sam Mayer rounded out the top-five. The rest of the top-10 were: Brandon Jones, Dean Thompson, Garrett Smithley, Brennan Poole, and Carson Kvapil. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
Playoff standings remain largely unchanged with only two regular season races left now. Bubble driver Harrison Burton overcame great adversity tonight dealing with debris hitting him inside the car. Hear his post-race thoughts below.
Xfinity Series teams will return to action following a cross country trek to the Pacific Northwest. Portland International Raceway will hold a rare standalone race next Saturday, with the Pacific Office Automation 147. The road course green flag will fly Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Connor Zilisch will be heavily favored to grab another victory on this road course.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
