Kligerman Sends 2 to Garage in Daytona

What’s Happening?

In the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300, Parker Kligerman may have caused several drivers to have a beef with him. Just 41 laps into the race, Kligerman bump drafted Sheldon Creed too aggressively, sending the Richard Childress Racing driver to an early exit. Then, with 11 laps to go, Kligerman squeezes Jeffrey Earnhardt into the wall while Earnhardt was running in the top 10.

What You Need to Know:

• Parker Kligerman is racing for Big Machine Racing in his first full-time racing season since 2013.
• Usually a popular face on pit road as a reporter, Kligerman’s decisions in his first race back in the full-time ride cost Sheldon Creed and Jeffrey Earnhardt a chance at solid finishes Saturday evening.
• Kligerman has been vocal on his opinions of other drivers’ aggression and bad decisions. Now that he is back in a regular racing schedule, he will have to answer for his decisions every week.

Main Characters

Earnhardt voiced his displeasure with Kligerman after getting squeezed into the wall while running 10th late in the race. The contact caused Earnhardt’s No. 44 Camaro to cut a tire, ending the driver’s chances for a high finish.

Earnhardt’s team, AlphaPrime, put the blame squarely on Kligerman right away.

While the incident with Earnhardt sparked some heat, the contact with Sheldon Creed was met with more understanding.

After the race, Kligerman showed no remorse.

“I didn’t do anything to Jeffrey.” Jeff, his team, and his fans seemed to disagree with that statement.

Without Kligerman taking accountability himself, Earnhardt went looking for him.

The discussion continued into the garage as Earnhardt showed Kligerman his damage.

UPDATE 7:17 PM EST 2/19

Earnhardt took to Facebook to compliment his team and let everyone know that the hatchet was not buried in the garage Saturday night.

In the Stands

While most accepted and somewhat agreed with Creed’s outlook of the “racing incident”, many fans came to the side of Earnhardt in voicing their displeasure.

Allegiances and fandom aside, any rivalry is entertainment for NASCAR fans.

From the Pressbox

RJ Starcevic of Toby Christie captured Earnhardt’s commentary with visual aids.

While commentating the race for Fox, Austin Dillon pointed out the facts of the matter after the contact with Earnhardt.

Kligerman had friends in the garage entering his new opportunity for 2023. He lost at least one tonight. Time will tell how the rest of the Xfinity field sees him.