Last week, Richard Childress Racing announced Austin Hill as their driver in Xfinity Series for next season. While many looked at it as Hill being rewarded for his impressive performances, it now comes to light that it was Parker Kligerman who was the first choice.
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In a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft said that Kligerman, another really good driver was slated to sign for RCR.
“Something happened here, I think they had a deal in place and it kind of fell apart.”
This enabled Austin Hill to sweep up on the opportunity which keeps Kligerman looking for a job in the absence of a full-time contract.
But if Kraft is to be believed, Hill’s signing will only make RCR stronger.
“It will be a formidable team next year with Creed and Austin Hill there.”
It almost came together for Kligerman
Parker Kligerman, despite his talent, has often been overlooked for a full-time seat since 2012. But even so, he has won two NASCAR Truck Series titles.
In more recent memory, Kligerman raced at the Kansas Speedway for Gaunt Racing Team. In that race, he finished at 20th place after an impressive performance as he drove up the field from a starting place at 40.
The driver believes he has the potential and the hunger that takes for a whole driver to compete and excel in the top series of NASCAR.
But even without a full-time job, Parker Kligerman stays close to the action.
Kligerman works as a reporter part-time. He appears weekly on NBCSN’s “NASCAR America,” where he comes on screen as an analyst and breaks down the trends reporting from the pit.
Cue all the people who can’t detect sarcasm 🤣 https://t.co/6LKZFL38AS
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) October 14, 2021
Austin Hill moves up
The 27-year-old is an eight-time race winner in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Since joining Hattori Racing in 2019, Hill has qualified for playoffs every year and has proved himself to be one of the best drivers in the third-tier series.
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WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 07: Camping World Truck Series driver Austin Hill of the #16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota Tundra prior to the start of the United Rentals 176 at the Glen NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on August 7, 2021, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Richard Childress Racing will know they have a proper team for next season. Signing two drivers of championship pedigree will only strengthen their side.
But still one feels sorry for Parker Kligerman. He will hope to find a team that shows faith in him, especially now, so he can forget the “What if?” of this missed opportunity.
Also Read: NASCAR Truck Driver Austin Hill Open Up on Grid’s Lack of Experience on Road Courses
