Parker Kligerman holds back tears reacting to P6 finish, white flag NASCAR controversy at Charlotte Roval

Absolute heartbreak for Parker Kligerman today at the Charlotte Roval. It appeared he had won the race, and then had it taken away. With the caution flag lights flashing as the NASCAR driver was about to take the white flag – Kligerman came up short by inches.

Now, the caution was needed. A car was shoved so far under the tire barrier that you couldn’t see it anymore. It was enveloped by the banner hanging on the barrier. But NASCAR could have signaled the caution flag much sooner than they did.

In his postrace interview, Parker Kligerman held back tears. He thought for a moment he had this race won. Then he had to get back into race mode and try to hold off Sam Mayer for two more laps.

Kligerman does not have a win in the Xfinity Series. He will step away from full-time racing after this season – this was his moment. And he almost had it. Almost. Mayer is the one walking away with the win and ticket to the Round of 8, though.

“It’s really tough from this side, I won’t lie,” Kligerman said of his misfortunes. “I might have teared up when I thought we got it there with the white flag and the caution comes out, and then I had to refocus, I was like, ‘Hey, I watched AJ in the Cup race last year nail a bunch of restarts.’ I was like, ‘If I want to be this level I gotta nail this restart,’ and we did that.

“I thought I cutoff turn 7 enough but he somehow got below me and it was on from there. We got damage and it was full contact, Sam didn’t do any egregious. It was hard racing but as close as you can be to the line. God, I said I wanted to cry, I’m not going to cry. But I really love this age, I just really wanted that. It would have meant the world. But you know it meant the world to be in that position.”

Racing is awesome because of these moments. The highs and the lows. Those heartbreaking moments. But that doesn’t make it any easier for Kligerman.

Parker Kligerman reacts to controversial caution flag

During his postrace interview, Parker Kligerman was shown the replay of the white flag approach. The caution light flashes right before he crosses the line.

When he watched it on the replay, Kligerman was beside himself. He couldn’t believe it was that close.

“Oh, man. Oh my gosh, you’re kidding me? What?! I don’t know,” the driver said. “I’ve seen enough from the TV side what the heartwrench and guttedness that these people go through and you’re in that moment and that’s just part of this sport. It’s why people buy tickets, it’s why they watch on The CW. I just, I’m thankful to be in the position to have had the opportunity in my life. I’ve loved this so much, and I just really wanted to get to the next round. Not to be, so we’ll go try to get a checkered flag at one of these next ones.”

Post-race comments from @pkligerman after being eliminated from the #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WVyyQPLPFr

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 12, 2024

Inches from the Round of 8. Inches from his first career win in the Xfinity Series. Parker Kligerman almost had the race of his life today at the Charlotte Roval.