WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.: In a somewhat surprising announcement earlier this week, Parker Kligerman will not return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Big Machine Racing next season.
In fact, Kligerman, who likely will race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs beginning at Kansas Speedway later this month won’t seek a full-time ride at all in 2025.
The Westport, Connecticut native made the announcement on his podcast, “The Money Lap,” then turned to social media late Thursday to announce it to the world.
“I’m no longer pursuing full-time rides,” Kligerman said on the podcast.
“My focus has been in trying to win races and fight for this championship with Big Machine Racing this year.
“But it’s only natural you have to start to think about this, especially when you get to the halfway point of these years because it’s kind of the time you start to say, ‘Hey, what’s going on for next year?’”
Kligerman joined Big Machine Racing, owned by entrepreneur Scott Borchetta, full-time in 2023.
The duo made the Xfinity Series Playoffs last season but despite posting eight top-five and 18 top-10 finishes, they finished 10th in Xfinity Series championship points following Phoenix Raceway.
With just two races remaining in the 2024 Xfinity Series Playoffs, the Big Machine Racing team looks set to leap into the Playoffs yet again – holding a 30-point cushion over the final transfer spot entering Saturday’s Mission 200 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
While Kligerman has embraced a racing career for most of his life, he has flourished as a television analyst – telling stories and providing feedback that the viewers can resonate with during the NBC portion of the NASCAR schedule.
Kligerman’s bubbly personality and understanding of the dynamic elements of the sport make him a popular reporter for not only the fans – but the sport alike.
Kligerman, though, hasn’t announced his television outlook for next season either, but he remains hopeful.
“I think there’s a lot of people that assume, there’s a lot of opportunities on the TV side, and I’m sure that that will be something I pursue and want to be a part of,” he added.
Since 2009, Kligerman has 113 Xfinity Series starts to his credit, with one pole, 15 top-five, and 49 top-10 finishes.
Before joining Big Machine Racing, he competed in the Kyle Busch Motorsports Xfinity Series program during the 2013 season, registering three top-fives and 13 top-10 finishes.
The KBM team folded at the end of the season reverting him back to part-time roles in the industry.
In addition to Xfinity, the 33-year-old’s resume includes the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
The former ARCA Menards Series standout is a three-time winner in the Truck Series, capturing his most recent win during the 2022 season with a knockout win on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Henderson Motorsports.
His first career Truck Series win came in a thrilling finish during the 2012 season, when he drove for Red Horse Racing.
In 30 Cup starts, his best finish of 15th occurred twice during the 2019 season and the annual Cup fall trip to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing in both
races.
Big Machine Racing has not named a replacement for its team next season.
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) September 12, 2024
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
