Host Brandon Contes interviews Parker Kligerman, NBC NASCAR pit reporter and driver of the #48 Spiked Light Coolers Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Contes and Carton discuss a wide range of topics including racing and broadcasting on the same weekend, how sim racing taught Parker for the real thing, Parker’s pick for NASCAR Cup Series champion, and more.
Here’s the full breakdown
- :39: Getting into racing
- 2:30: Karting
- 4:45: Not coming from a racing family
- 7:39: eNASCAR team ownership
- 10:29: Accuracy of iRacing compared to the real thing
- 11:14: Growth of iRacing
- 13:41: Riverhead Raceway
- 14:14: Talent pool at local short tracks
- 16:40: Having the talent and finances to get far in racing
- 19:18: Is the commitment of being a broadcaster hurting the ability to be a Cup Series driver?
- 25:46: Would Parker leave NBC for a full-time Cup opportunity?
- 28:19: Should more high-level Cup teams be knocking on the door given the increased notoriety?
- 30:03: Resentment of seeing others getting Cup rides?
- 35:12: Broadcasting being the more secure job compared to driving
- 37:13: Racing and broadcasting at the same time
- 39:56: Current drivers who have a future in broadcasting
- 41:34: Are drivers more comfortable or more candid talking to Parker than to a reporter?
- 44:15: Getting inside information from other drivers
- 45:32: Has being a reporter and asking difficult questions gotten in the way of friendships?
- 46:51: Fan backlash?
- 49:05: Balancing the broadcasting/racing schedule throughout the week
- 51:43: Men and women competing together in racing
- 54:00: NASCAR Cup Playoff picks
- 55:02: Bubba Wallace making the playoffs
- 57:19: Wallace not speaking to media before Daytona
- 59:52: Michael Jordan as a NASCAR team owner
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