Parker Kligerman thought he had secured a massive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Daytona on Friday night — until he hadn’t.
In a wild final lap that saw multiple trucks wreck, Kligerman navigated the chaos and crossed the finish line with both the checkered and yellow flags waving. Believing he had won, The CW Xfinity Series analyst soaked in the moment.
Parker Kligerman is heading to The CW Xfinity Series booth, but before that happens, he wins the Truck race at Daytona. pic.twitter.com/iXASB3i0qj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 15, 2025
But that feeling didn’t last very long.
Over an hour after Kligerman was celebrating what he thought was his victory at Daytona, NASCAR made an announcement that flipped the script. Kligerman’s No. 75 truck had been disqualified following a post-race inspection for being too low in the rear.
Corey Heim was officially declared the winner instead.
UPDATE: The No. 75 truck has been disqualified following post-race inspection at @DAYTONA for being too low in the rear.@CoreyHeim_ has been declared the winner of tonight’s race.
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 15, 2025
Kligerman’s team at Henderson Motorsports wasted no time announcing its decision to appeal the disqualification.
OFFICIAL UPDATE:
We’ve decided to appeal the disqualification of our #75 Truck from yesterday evening’s NCTS Race at Daytona.#NASCAR #Henderson75
— Henderson Motorsports (@HendersonTrucks) February 15, 2025
Most teams don’t bother appealing disqualifications, understanding the odds and costs involved. However, Kligerman, who likely won’t be directly involved in presenting the appeal, believes that his team will put forth a “very, very valid case.”
But beyond that, he wouldn’t comment further.
While Kligerman had what he thought was the biggest win of his carer pulled out from underneath him, this isn’t the first time his hopes have been dashed.
He experienced a similar fate in October during the Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte Roval. With the finish line in sight, NASCAR called a caution flag mere yards before Kligerman could take the checkered, forcing him to settle for fifth place and eliminating him from the Playoffs.
In the meantime, Kligerman is fully focused on his role as an analyst with The CW’s Xfinity Series coverage.
“Until then, I’m fully focused on my job with @TheCW_Sports and @NASCAR_Xfinity because the drivers and teams deserve the full focus on the massive stage ahead of them,” he wrote.
Biggest win of my life. Thank you all for the wonderful messages. Over 700 texts
I will not be commenting any further until we are able to present what I believe is a very, very valid case.
Until then, I’m fully focused on my job with @TheCW_Sports and @NASCAR_Xfinity because… pic.twitter.com/L8cfSoUL8q
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) February 15, 2025
In an interview with Awful Announcing back in 2023, Kligerman shared how he balances his life in the fast lane, juggling racing with his media commitments. At the time of the interview, he was still with NBC Sports, but after being hired by The CW earlier this year, he’ll now serve as an analyst for their NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage.
Additionally, he will be working as a pit reporter for NBC during the Cup Series later in the season.
“The two mix really easily together, and I’d probably say better than ever, to be honest,” he told AA Podcast host Brandon Contes.
