Kligerman Finishes Ninth in Discount Tire Dodge in Bristol
August 27, 2011
BRISTOL, Tenn. (August 26, 2011) – Parker Kligerman, making his first start of 2011 in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), finished ninth in the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) on Friday night. The finish tied his career-best NNS result since he made his first series start in 2009.
Kligerman began the 250-lap race from the 12th position after posting a lap of 16.185 seconds, or 118.554 miles per hour, during the Friday afternoon qualifying session. When the green flag flew to begin the race, Kligerman radioed to crew chief Todd Gordon that his Discount Tire Dodge was handling loose all around the BMS oval. Despite the condition, Kligerman was able to race his way inside the top 10 early in the event.
As the race moved past the halfway mark, and with the race leaders positioned just behind him, Kligerman received a break as the second caution flag of the day flew at lap 127. Kligerman, who was running in the 13th position, made his way down pit road for the first stop of the race. Gordon called for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment on the Discount Tire Dodge before his driver returned to the racing surface in the same 13th-place position at lap 132.
As the race resumed, Kligerman noted that his car was handling better while exiting the corners of the track. He quickly raced his way back inside the top-10 cars by lap 141. However, while in the bottom lane at lap 145, Kligerman spun the Discount Tire machine on the exit of Turn 2. He was able to avoid contact, but had to make his way down pit road for four fresh tires. Kligerman restarted the race in the 14th position at lap 151, as he only lost four spots in the spin.
Gordon called his driver down pit road for the final time at lap 193. Kligerman noted that the conditions had loosened up on track, so Gordon chose an aggressive adjustment to make sure the car would run strong to the end of the race. He called for adjustments to both the track bar and right-rear spring rubber, in addition to adding four Goodyear radials and fuel. Over the final 50 laps, Kligerman put himself in position to produce a career-best NNS finish, but he wound up finishing ninth as he could not hold off the No. 2 car of Elliot Sadler on the final lap
Following Friday’s result, the No. 22 team is ranked seventh in the Nationwide Series owner point standings.
“I felt like this team had a top-five car tonight,” said Kligerman. “I’m a little disappointed for these guys with the Discount Tire Dodge Challenger. They worked their butts off. Going out there and spinning out, I didn’t need to do that. I want to thank Roger Penske, Discount Tire, Dodge and the whole organization for the opportunity to do this. It’s an opportunity not too many young drivers get, to drive as good a car as I had tonight. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge team will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 3 for the Great Clips 300. Live coverage will begin at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN2. The race will also be heard on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 90.
Kligerman began the 250-lap race from the 12th position after posting a lap of 16.185 seconds, or 118.554 miles per hour, during the Friday afternoon qualifying session. When the green flag flew to begin the race, Kligerman radioed to crew chief Todd Gordon that his Discount Tire Dodge was handling loose all around the BMS oval. Despite the condition, Kligerman was able to race his way inside the top 10 early in the event.
As the race moved past the halfway mark, and with the race leaders positioned just behind him, Kligerman received a break as the second caution flag of the day flew at lap 127. Kligerman, who was running in the 13th position, made his way down pit road for the first stop of the race. Gordon called for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment on the Discount Tire Dodge before his driver returned to the racing surface in the same 13th-place position at lap 132.
As the race resumed, Kligerman noted that his car was handling better while exiting the corners of the track. He quickly raced his way back inside the top-10 cars by lap 141. However, while in the bottom lane at lap 145, Kligerman spun the Discount Tire machine on the exit of Turn 2. He was able to avoid contact, but had to make his way down pit road for four fresh tires. Kligerman restarted the race in the 14th position at lap 151, as he only lost four spots in the spin.
Gordon called his driver down pit road for the final time at lap 193. Kligerman noted that the conditions had loosened up on track, so Gordon chose an aggressive adjustment to make sure the car would run strong to the end of the race. He called for adjustments to both the track bar and right-rear spring rubber, in addition to adding four Goodyear radials and fuel. Over the final 50 laps, Kligerman put himself in position to produce a career-best NNS finish, but he wound up finishing ninth as he could not hold off the No. 2 car of Elliot Sadler on the final lap
Following Friday’s result, the No. 22 team is ranked seventh in the Nationwide Series owner point standings.
“I felt like this team had a top-five car tonight,” said Kligerman. “I’m a little disappointed for these guys with the Discount Tire Dodge Challenger. They worked their butts off. Going out there and spinning out, I didn’t need to do that. I want to thank Roger Penske, Discount Tire, Dodge and the whole organization for the opportunity to do this. It’s an opportunity not too many young drivers get, to drive as good a car as I had tonight. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge team will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 3 for the Great Clips 300. Live coverage will begin at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN2. The race will also be heard on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 90.