Parker Kligerman hopes to raise his arms in victory or get a frontrunner result at Phoenix. (Photo: Erik Smith | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Although Parker Kligerman is searching for his first frontrunner result of 2024, he is climbing up the points standings in steady fashion.
Starting off the 2024 NASCAR XFINTY Series season ranked 20th, the 33-year-old Westport, Connecticut, native ranks 11th ahead of Saturday’s Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 at Phoenix Raceway.
Still, there is a bit of an insatiable experience for Kligerman and his No. 48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 crew. Namely, the Big Machine Racing driver knows that the results have not matched what has been seen throughout the race with their fast cars.
Last Saturday, Kligerman rolled off from the seventh position, placing eighth in Stages 1 and 2, netting six stage points. However, he placed 11th, a bit of a frustrating result for the man behind “The Money Lap” podcast with Landon Cassill.
“Last week for the third weekend in a row, we had a really fast car but didn’t get the finish we deserve,” Kligerman said in a team press release. “There is so much to be proud of in the way this Big Machine Racing team has started this 2024 season. I know if we keep this up, we will start getting the finishes we want.
“Most importantly, we are achieving one of our better goals this year which is scoring stage points! This has allowed us to stay in a good position points wise. We also have been awesome in qualifying which was a big goal of ours!“
Saturday’s schedule at Phoenix is a bit of an old school feeling for Kligerman. For starters, it is a one-day show with practice, qualifying and the race all happening in less than 12 hours.
Certainly, Parker Kligerman hopes for a much better race day at Phoenix than last year’s duo of frustrating experiences. (Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)
A good, clean practice and qualifying showing will be a welcoming scenario for Kligerman. Prior to Saturday’s race, Kligerman was 16th fastest before qualifying 12th or on the outside of Row 6.
Namely, the spring race was a frustrating, trying moment for the Constitution State native.
Last year, Kligerman wrecked his primary car, started 37th and mustered a hard fought 15th. In the words of “Once In a Lifetime” by Talking Heads, Kligerman’s fall results were the “same as it ever was,” qualifying 30th and placing 16th.
Undoubtedly, these moments were not lost in Kligerman’s mindset prior to arriving at Phoenix Raceway for Saturday’s fast and furious on-track activities.
“Looking ahead to Phoenix, this will be one of our biggest tests of the year since this track has been one that is particularly hard for me,” he observed. “Its unique shape and design mean it requires a driving style that goes against my natural driving style.
“Therefore, I have had to work very hard over the last year to force myself to drive the car differently there than I do anywhere else. This difference is much like a golfer changing their swing for a specific course. I have put a lot of effort into this and hope it pays off this weekend.”
It may take a short track mentality for Kligerman and crew chief Patrick Donahue to dial in their No. 48 ride. Ultimately, anything can and will happen in a competitive field such as Kligerman finally nabbing that frontrunner results he wants at Phoenix and this season.
“We also have been hard at work with the setup of our car for Phoenix,” Kligerman shared. “Hopefully, we can find some things that click, as we intend to be back here to end the year in a position to fight for a championship!”
