Parker Kligerman Claims Daytona Redemption, Scores Win for Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports

Parker Kligerman hopped aboard Connor Zilisch’s No. 88 hotrod to score the win in the 2025 Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo Credit: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — It had been over half a year since Parker Kligerman was disqualified in a heartbreaking moment after winning the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season at the Daytona International Speedway facility. Still, he didn’t let it get to his head as he substituted for the injured Connor Zilisch, who started the race from pole to claim the victory in Friday evening’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250.

Still recovering from a scary collarbone accident, which he broke in a fall at Watkins Glen two weeks ago, Zilisch switched to Kligerman, who took over driving under caution on Lap 13.

Kligerman drove a skilled race throughout the evening, leading for 12 laps in total. He took the lead on the final lap, but a major crash out of Turn 3 caused the race to come under caution. This incident allowed Kligerman to be the first car to cross the finish line and take the win.

Despite winning the race, Kligerman was not granted the victory, as Zilisch had started the car before handing it over to Kligerman under the first yellow flag period of the day. The victory is Zilisch’s sixth win in the last 10 Xfinity Series events, bumping his win total to a series-leading seven for the young rookie, tying the record with Cup Series star Christopher Bell for the most in a Xfinity rookie season.

Parker Kligerman celebrates with his iconic flag plant on the frontstretch of Daytona International Speedway. (Photo Credit: Grady Lundberg | The Podium Finish)

“It’s different in every way, because I didn’t expect to get a call from (team owner) Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. on the day I was leaving for vacation, saying ‘Hey, man, would you come drive this thing?’” Kligerman told The CW after his big victory in relief. “I hate the circumstances for Connor (Zilisch). He’s an amazing generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call to grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in.” ”

It was a great night for JR Motorsports, as three of the four cars in their fleet achieved a 1-2-3 finish. This strong performance came after reigning series champion Justin Allgaier bumped Kligerman during the final restart, which led to Allgaier finishing in third place. Sammy Smith managed to come from behind and secured the second position. With the finish, Allgaier was able to jump back ahead for the regular-season points lead by a mere three points heading into the final two races of the regular season.

“Thank you to Justin Allgaier. He was a real teammate,” Kligerman said. “We go way back, and that meant a lot. And Sammy Smith gave us some great pushes, so that helped a ton.”

Zilisch ran from the pit box to the frontstretch to congratulate Kligerman. The drivers shared a delicate hug and a somber moment, as Zilisch’s strong but bumpy season continues after sitting from the sidelines to watch his No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro take his second victory without him in the seat, as 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson took home the win at Texas Motor Speedway in April after Zilisch suffered a back injury in the spring Talladega race.

“It’s weird,” Zilisch stated. “It was really weird the last time I did it, and I never thought I’d have to do it again, but I love Parker (Kligerman). I’ve been a fan of Parker for a long time.”

Defending Daytona winner Jesse Love finished fourth, with Sam Mayer picking up his fourth consecutive top 5 in fifth.

Brandon Jones, Dean Thompson, Garrett Smithley, Brennan Poole, and Carson Kvapil finished in the top ten after the lights went out over the 2.5-mile racetrack.

Meanwhile, just two races remain in the Xfinity Series regular season, and despite having issues with crush panels early on in the race, Harrison Burton came back to finish 16th, while his cousin Jeb finished 19th, and despite scoring two stage points, the gap extends to a 37-point buffer for Harrison.

Additionally, Ryan Sieg, who led the most laps with 19 on the evening, got collected in the Lap 97 wreck, relegating the Georgia native to a 31st-place finish, as he now sits 57 points outside the playoff bubble heading into the sixth road course event of the year at Portland International Raceway.

Coverage of the Pacific Office Automation 147 will air live on Saturday, August 30, at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, with radio coverage provided by The Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

Stage 1 Results
1. Sammy Smith
2. Sam Mayer
3. Matt DiBenedetto
4. Austin Hill
5. Justin Allgaier
6. Brandon Jones
7. Christian Eckes
8. Anthony Alfredo
9. Jeb Burton
10. William Sawalich

Stage 2 Results
1. Justin Allgaier
2. Jesse Love
3. Christian Eckes
4. Austin Hill
5. Sheldon Creed
6. Dean Thompson
7. Harrison Burton
8. Taylor Gray
9. Brandon Jones
10. Ryan Sieg

2025 Wawa 250 powered by Coca Cola Daytona International Speedway NASCAR Xfinity Series Results