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By Lydia Mee
Sports Contributing Writer
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NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Kligerman has announced his decision to step away from full-time racing after the 2024 season in an emotional message.
Before he hangs up his competitive helmet, Kligerman is determined to make a final charge at the Xfinity Series Playoffs and contend for the championship, marking an end to a steadfast 15-year journey in stock car racing.
Making his Xfinity Series debut in 2009 at Kansas, Parker Kligerman has since amassed an impressive resume. Throughout 109 Xfinity Series races, he recorded 47 top-10 finishes and claimed one pole award.
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He also achieved three race wins and two poles in the Truck Series from 117 races, boasting 53 top-10 finishes, and appeared in the Cup Series on a part-time basis.
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Revealing his intentions via a heartfelt statement, Kligerman reflected:
"When I was nine years old, my family got cable.
"Naturally, I immediately found a channel called SpeedVision, where I saw men in multicolored pajamas, with sweaty faces and stern looks – er, racing – for the first time. Right then, I knew; I want to do that! I will be a professional race car driver.
"And for the better part of a decade and a half, I have been just that. The fire-retardant pajamas, sweaty face, and all. It's been 22 years since I first begged and borrowed my way into a go-kart (Really, my mom couldn't take any more begging) and started a journey that, for an endless amount of reasons, should never have made it further than go-karts. Let alone afforded me multiple chances, a career, and possibly a purpose."
Kligerman's journey hasn't been without its obstacles. He had to undertake one-off rides to sustain his racing career. He enjoyed two full-time Truck Series seasons (2011-2012) with Brad Keselowski Racing, before achieving initial success in the Xfinity Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports, finishing 9th in the overall standings. However, his full-time venture with Swan Racing in the Cup Series was cut short when the team was sold, leading him into an era punctuated by sporadic rides until 2023 when he finally secured a full-time national series ride again.
The current season has seen the seasoned driver finish second at the Atlanta race, revitalizing his hopes for a strong championship bid with nine races left to secure an Xfinity Series race win.
It is yet to be confirmed who will be replacing Kligerman at Big Machine Racing for the 2025 season. An announcement is highly anticipated.
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