Did Dale Jr. Just Ruin Parker Kligerman’s Retirement Plans With a Daytona Win?

In NASCAR, wins are supposed to be defining moments. For Parker Kligerman, though, the last year has been a series of near-misses, technicalities, and heartbreaks. But last weekend at Daytona, a call from Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulled him back into the spotlight — and maybe cracked the resolve of a man who had already chosen a new life outside the driver’s seat.

A Year of “Almost” Victories

On paper, the record books don’t give Kligerman much to brag about recently. But anyone who has followed his journey knows better.

• At the Charlotte Roval in 2023, Kligerman crossed the line first in the Xfinity Series — only for NASCAR to rule that a caution had come out just before the final lap, erasing his triumph.

• In February’s Truck Series opener at Daytona, he won again… until a post-race technical inspection stripped him of victory.

• Six months later, he finally stood in Victory Lane at Daytona in the Xfinity Series — but only as a substitute for the injured Connor Zilisch, meaning the official win was credited to Zilisch.

Each time, the moment slipped through his fingers. Yet after years of grinding as a journeyman and stepping away from full-time racing to focus on broadcasting, Kligerman seemed at peace.

At least, until Dale Jr. called.

The Call From Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“I think if it was anyone other than Dale, I probably wouldn’t have done it,” Kligerman admitted.

Kligerman didn’t have a burning desire to jump back into an Xfinity car, but the opportunity — a ride in one of the fastest cars in the series — was too good to pass up. And when the team swapped drivers under caution, Kligerman delivered, driving Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet to victory at Daytona.

It wasn’t his win on paper, but it was his in every other sense. And that, he admitted, made the temptation real.

Dale Jr. Stirs the Pot

Earnhardt Jr., never one to dodge honesty, admitted after the race that he may have complicated Kligerman’s retirement decision.

“This may present an opportunity he wants to pursue,” Earnhardt said. “But at some point, he has to decide. He’s got to go all-in on the media side… but you don’t want to give up your seat either. That’s a tough spot to be in.”

Kligerman, hearing that, couldn’t help but laugh. “Dale, what are you trying to do to me? I’m trying to make a choice over here.”

Torn Between Two Worlds

At 35, Kligerman has found real success as a broadcaster and media personality. He admits he’s excited about the opportunities off-track. But the Daytona win — even unofficial — stirred something he thought he’d buried.

“I don’t know, maybe, possibly, maybe not,” he said. “It would take a once-in-a-lifetime sort of opportunity. But I’m really enjoying what I’m doing outside of racing. I get to do cool stuff like this sometimes.”

In other words: it’s not a yes, but it’s no longer a hard no either.

Zilisch’s Role

Connor Zilisch, still recovering from collarbone surgery, was the official winner. Yet he couldn’t hide his excitement for Kligerman.

“I was pumped,” Zilisch said. “You come to Daytona and anyone can win. I was super excited for Parker, excited for my team, and I had to thank him since he kind of won with my name.”

It was an unusual partnership — one man chasing closure, the other recovering from injury — but together, they turned Daytona into a storybook moment.

Another Win That “Doesn’t Count”

Once again, the Racing Reference page won’t give Kligerman credit for the win. But this time, he doesn’t seem bitter.

“I thought about February on that last restart,” he said. “That was a tough one, but you can’t dwell on the past. When Dale called, I knew it was an opportunity to win Daytona. I’m glad we made a positive out of a negative.”

Conclusion: A Door Reopened?

For Parker Kligerman, the past year has been a cruel joke of almost-wins and technicalities. But his Daytona run with Dale Jr. cracked the door open again. He’s not fully back, not yet — but for the first time since announcing his step back, he’s admitting he could be tempted.

So the question remains: did Dale Earnhardt Jr. just ruin Parker Kligerman’s retirement plans? Or did he simply remind him — and NASCAR fans — of the fire that never really goes out?