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Parker Kligerman wins NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona
NASCAR Truck Series driver Parker Kligerman (75) reacts after winning the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Parker Kligerman wins NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona

Parker Kligerman may not technically get credited with the victory in Friday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona, but he certainly earned it. 

After stepping in and relieving a healing Connor Zilisch in Stage 1 of the WaWa 250, Kligerman drove the No. 88 JR Motorsport Chevrolet to the front. 

Despite a superspeedway ace in Austin Hill battling him for the win in the closing laps and a snarling pack making advances behind him, Kligerman held on to score the win. 

The win officially goes to Zilisch in the record books, but it would be Kligerman's first career Xfinity Series win. The victory is a sweet one for Kligerman, who initially won the Truck Series race at Daytona before being disqualified. 

"I didn't expect to get a call from Dale Jr. on a day I was leaving to go on vacation," Kligerman told CW Sports. "I feel honored to have gotten the call. It's such a me thing that this won't be a win on Racing Reference."

It may not be an official win, but it's a result Kligerman still said is a "dream come true."

Justin Allgaier finished runner-up to Kligerman, with Sammy Smith, Sam Mayer and Jesse Love rounding out the top five. Brandon Jones, Dean Thompson, Brennan Poole, Garrett Smithley and Ryan Ellis completed the top-10. 

Other notable finishers include Harrison Burton in 15th, Sheldon Creed in 17th, Jeb Burton in 20th, Aric Almirola in 24th and Hill in 25th. 

The Xfinity Series will return at Portland International Raceway on Aug. 30. 

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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