Parker Kligerman to Run Coca-Cola 600 for Gaunt Brothers Racing

For the first time since the summer of 2014, Parker Kligerman will be back behind the wheel of a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car.

Kligerman will drive the No. 96 Toyota for Gaunt Brothers Racing in the Coca-Cola-600 on Memorial Day weekend, the team announced Thursday (May 10).

Kligerman, who has made 10 Cup starts since 2013, announced the deal on Thursday’s edition of NASCAR America on NBCSN.

“It was about a month ago that a friend of mine and my girlfriend asked, ‘Do you think you’ll ever drive a Cup car again?’ Nah, I think that boat has passed,’’ Kligerman said. “A couple of weeks later, this popped up. I know Marty [Gaunt, team owner] well, and I know how professional he is and he does things the right way.’’

Since his last Cup start, Kligerman has competed in a handful of XFINITY and Camping World Truck series events, most notably winning at Talladega Superspeedway last season for Henderson Motorsports.

He also participated in a test at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the team on Wednesday (May 9).

“I think I had a general idea, but I don’t think I realized the extreme to how tough it is to get the cars to do what you would want as a driver,’’ Kligerman said. “What it has done to force people to change their habits, I think, is interesting.”

His best Cup result is an 18th-place run at Texas Motor Speedway in 2013 with the now-defunct Swan Racing. He also boasts three top fives and 19 top-10 finishes in 53 career NXS starts. In the Camping World Truck Series, Kligerman has two career victories (both at Talladega) along with 15 top fives and 33 top 10s in 71 starts.

In five starts with DJ Kennington this season, GBR has a best finish of 20th at Talladega Superspeedway.