Kligerman logs top 10 at Road America in return to Xfinity series

After a quick turnaround from Mid-Ohio, Mark Setzer and the Precision Performance Motorsports team (PPM) put the No. 46 TCC #CultureOfGood/ComServe Wireless Chevrolet Camaro in the top ten with Parker Kligerman at the wheel on Sunday’s Johnsonville 180 at Road America.

 

After a two year hiatus from the NASCAR Xfinity Series car, Parker Kligerman set sail from the rest of the field for a decisive top-10 finish at Road America. Kligerman started in the 39th position after qualifying was rained out but quickly drove through field and spent most of the race in the top 15.

 

Smart pit strategy is a key factor these days in stage racing and Setzer made the right calls during the final stage of the race, pitting Parker early.  As those on alternative strategies pitted, Kligerman slowly moved up the leaderboard.

 

Kligerman admitted that his team didn’t have the brakes to hang with the leaders,

 

“We had a couple of issues with the brakes, making some little challenges at the end of the straightaway. But that’s beside the point. It was an excellent job by Precision Performance Motorsports. I’m very thankful for the opportunity. We did almost everything right, just lacked that crucial little bit of speed exiting the corner to go run top-five. Everybody running in that top-five, I could see them that last run. I was running with them at times. I just couldn’t keep up with them, so it’s unfortunate. It was very fun to be out there.”

 

Kligerman started 39th after qualifying was cancelled due to weather. With teams only having two sets of rain tires each, and an ARCA race also scheduled at the 4.048-mile track, NASCAR elected to save the Goodyear rain tires for the race in case they were needed.

 

Kligerman said the most exciting part was the slickness of the track,

 

“If you got cars, especially in the pack, cars that are off the track that put up all that mud and dust, it just made it really slick. You just could not go too far on the curbs or you would find yourself in the wall. The most exciting part was down in Canada Corner, we all rushed down there, myself, Elliott Sadler, Blake Koch, Justin Allgaier, and there was a rain storm and everyone went sliding. We just did arms and elbows in the air, swatting flies, but somehow we made it out.”

 

Crew Chief Mark Setzer was pleased with his team and Parker’s performance.

 

“It seems like I’m saying the same thing at times but when you have a group of guys like we have at PPM you can’t brag on them enough” said Crew Chief Mark Setzer. “You add to that mix a driver with Parker Kligerman’s talent and it makes for a great weekend of racing. Yes, we had some issues but the resilience of this group and Parker’s determined, never give up attitude, lead us to a top ten finish. PPM continues to show why we are “The place to race” for drivers looking to take that next step and showcase their talent behind the wheel. We will continue to work hard and bring the best cars to the track.”

 

The 10th-place finish came in the first Xfinity Series start of 2017 for Kligerman, the first since the 2015 Darlington race. It is also his 19th career top-10 finish in 53 career starts.

 

Kligerman will look to carry his success into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.”

 

PPM PR