Parker Kligerman's goal for a triumphant finish at the Charlotte ROVAL took a heart-wrenching turn amid the chaos of a controversial race end. The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, poised for victory, faced a devastating outcome following a pivotal caution and overtime restart that shuffled the race order.
Kligerman’s heartbreak was palpable as he recounted the events that transpired that fateful day. He explained to the media following the race:
"I've done this interview you're doing, and it's always tough on that side.
"It's really tough on this (driver's) side. I might have teared up when I thought we got it there at the white flag. Caution comes out, had to refocus."
In the race's closing laps, as Kligerman led against seasoned competitors like Shane van Gisbergen and emerging talent Sam Mayer, victory seemed within his grasp. Yet a crash involving Leland Honeyman’s No. 42 car changed everything. Honeyman’s crash into a tire barrier prompted a delay in issuing the caution flag, inadvertently extending the race into overtime.
The driver from Westport, Connecticut, was led to believe he had clinched victory when he saw the white flag waved, only for his hopes to unravel due to the confusion of the delayed caution.
During the consequential overtime restart, Kligerman found his lead slipping away at Turn 7, where Sam Mayer passed him. Despite the grueling nature of the contest, Kligerman bore no grudge.
"I want to be at this level, I got to nail this restart.
"We did that. I thought I cut off Turn 7 enough but he somehow got below me and it was on from there. I got damage. It was full contact. Sam didn't do anything egregious.
"It was hard racing, but as close as you can be to the line. I said I wanted to cry, but I'm not gonna cry. I really love this game and I just really, really wanted that. It would have meant the world but it meant the world to be in that position.
"They called this strategy. I didn't agree with it. I wanted to go for points, but they were right. It put us in the position to go and get that. God, I was driving my heart out for that last run.
"I needed five more feet or something. If it went green to the end, we had it. I don't know how to process this. It's gonna take a while. Just really thankful to have the opportunity ... I love this game. I just want to get a trophy."
The race outcome also had significant playoff ramifications, eliminating Kligerman from the playoffs and ending his hopes for a championship run in his swansong season. He watched the footage back, commenting:
"Oh man," he said. "Oh my gosh. You're kidding me. What? Ugh. I don't know. I've seen enough from the TV side what that -- the heart-wrench and gutted-ness these people go through when you're in that moment. It's part of the sport.
"It's why people buy tickets. It's why they watch on The CW. I'm thankful to be in the position to have had the opportunity in my life. I love this so much. I just really wanted to get to the next round. But it was not to be. We'll go try and get a checkered flag in one of these next ones."
