DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jeffrey Earnhardt waited for Parker Kligerman next to his hauler, ballcap set, polo shirt adorned and steam pouring out of his ears.
As Kligerman finished his media obligations and arrived at his hauler, Earnhardt called him out, raised his hands and began to demand answers from the former on his actions during the closing laps of the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Around half an hour earlier, the duo was side-by-side with one another on the high banks during the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
Earnhardt, while using the stronger lane on the high side, had the No. 48 of Kligerman on the bottom. Suddenly, Kligerman began to veer into his lane while the No. 44 occupied the space.
The two made contact as Kligerman forced himself in front of the other Xfinity racer. Moments later, Earnhardt cut a tire as a result from the damage. He fell well off the pace and was forced to pit, effectively ending any chance of him winning, much less earning a decent finishing result.
Earnhardt ended up finishing 28th, one lap down. Kligerman was later involved in a last-lap incident that saw him finish 23rd.
Still, Earnhardt was not pleased.
“Just lack of talent on his part, I guess.” said Earnhardt when asked about the incident. “I don’t know what the heck he was thinking. It was all going to plan until idiots behind the wheel. He’s smarter than that.
“(Dale Earnhardt) is the exact opposite of what Parker Kligerman is,” Jeffrey Earnhardt said while pointing to his helmet that features a picture of his late grandfather.
During their short discussion, the Alpha Prime Racing driver cut their altercation early and stormed into the garage area. Kligerman, dissatisfied, followed him trying to explain himself.
Once they met again in the middle of the post-race garage ruckus, Kligerman continued to try and have a conversation.
Shortly after, the grandson of the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt seemed to lower his posture and began to listen to Kligerman’s explanation.
The Big Machine Racing driver and NBC Sports analyst was taking the blame it seemed, claiming his spotter said he was “clear,” which is spotter talk for saying he is allowed to move up.
Rather than escalate, the two walked away from each other. It’s unclear if their discourse will continue.
Kligerman’s literal run-in with Jeffrey Earnhardt wasn’t the only time he had been involved – or the cause of – an incident during Saturday’s 300-mile event.
Earlier in the night, he had tagged the rear end of Sheldon Creed and got the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet loose in front of the pack, causing a classic Daytona “Big One.”
Out of the race, Creed left the care center where Frontstretch caught up with him.
“Maybe his spotter was telling him I was pushing the No. 1,” said Creed. “He just got me hard and picked me up really fast.
“Just a product of these superspeedway races.”
In fairness, in typical Kligerman fashion, the driver of the No. 48 blamed himself for his performance and run-ins during the night.
“I don’t want to let anyone down, said Kligerman after the race on pit road. “I’ve got to push myself to a level where I’ve never been before.
“Every race here I’ve got to be really on it, and tonight, I just felt a little sloppy.”
About the author
Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the lead writer for the weekly Thinkin' Out Loudcolumn, co-host of the Happy Hour podcast, and one of our lead reporters. Beforehand, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. Simultaneously, he also serves as a Captain in the US Army.
Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneCPT
A daily email update (Monday through Friday) providing racing news, commentary, features, and information from Frontstretch.com
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
When I saw what the 48 did I thought that it was a bonehead move.