Parker Kligerman focuses forward at Dover with a fresh haircut, firesuit and outlook. (Photo: Josh Jones | The Podium Finish)
DOVER, Del. — Parker Kligerman does not need much inspiration to kickstart his heart for Saturday’s BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.
In fact, Kligerman’s No. 48 Big Machine Racing team is not a motley crew. However, the Westport, Connecticut, native has a band that has found a new record label to call “Home Sweet Home.”
The unmistakable white and orange colors of Kligerman’s NASCAR XFINITY Series chariot sports a black and red wrap worthy of Mötley Crüe, the famed heavy metal and glam metal founded in 1981.
Kligerman may not rock the long locks of the famed band that has sold over 100 million albums globally, but he has some motivation to excel in the second quarter of the season. Namely, the 33-year-old racer was so close to winning his first XFINITY series race last Saturday at Talladega.
While leading the field to a NASCAR Overtime restart, Kligerman was turned into the Turn 1 wall on Lap 119. Instead of being in a position to capture a much anticipated maiden victory, Kligerman placed 29th.
Parker Kligerman knows that Dover can have “Looks That Kill.” (Photo: Daniel Rankin | The Podium Finish)
Now, the young racer, ranked ninth in the championship standings, turns to “The Monster Mile” known as Dover Motor Speedway. A staple in NASCAR since 1969, the concrete-laden track has straights banked at nine degrees while the corners are banked at 24 degrees.
Essentially, it is the kind of track where drivers like Kligerman might consider Dover by Mötley Crüe. Mainly, Dover can slice cars apart if she does not get her way.
Then again, Kligerman may have moves like a cat and he certainly knows the name of this weekend’s track.
“Dover is one of my favorite tracks in NASCAR because it’s one of the most intense single laps you will do all year,” Kligerman said in a team press release. “And therefore, a monster of a race! It’s fitting that it’s called the Monster Mile, and it’s very fitting we have Monsters of Rock, Mötley Crüe onboard our car!”
Suffice to say, Kligerman’s enthusiasm and energy shows in the cockpit and away from it. He has adrenaline that rushes through his veins and he’d be the first to point out how his team thrives, or as Mötley Crüe would say, “kick ass.”
Last year, Kligerman was collected in a Lap 64 accident with Corey Heim on the backstretch, ending a promising effort in 38th position. Ahead of Saturday’s race, Kligerman, making his 99th career XFINITY start, hopes to be as competitive as his efforts from 2012 to 2013 when he finished 12th, 11th and seventh.
So far, Kligerman has been on the cusps of having a frontrunner’s pace. Thus far, he started the weekend off with the 17th fastest time in Friday’s practice session and 18th quickest in a 10-lap consecutive run.
Qualifying in 15th position, Kligerman, starting alongside Matt DiBenedetto, hopes the power of Mötley Crüe can be on his side for the 200-lap race.
Certainly, Parker Kligerman will stand up and not back down at Dover with Mötley Crüe on his side. (Photo: Daniel Rankin | The Podium Finish)
“I am so honored to represent such an iconic band and can’t wait for their new single, “Dogs of War,'” he said. “If our car is half as fast as it is menacing looking, we will be in for an absolute monster of a weekend!”
A monster weekend may be what is in the docket for Kligerman. In this case, he will stand his ground and not back down, much like the band’s latest single released via Big Machine Records.
Typically, Kligerman offers a smile and the rock on gesture to passerby at the track. It seems apropos that the co-host of “The Money Lap” has another reason to show off this pose as he vies for his first win in this highly competitive divison.
“The rock on holds even more meaning this weekend,” Kligerman posted on his X. “Pretty rad repping one of the biggest bands in the world. Starting P15, but we will be better [on Saturday]. Going after it like the Dogs of War!”
