Parker Kligerman Takes Xfinity Series Victory At Daytona

Parker Kligerman took over for Connor Zilisch and won Friday’s (Aug. 22) NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Daytona International Speedway.

Kligerman, who was disqualified after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona in February, rebounded to win with JR Motorsports’ No. 88 team.

We're sure @ConnorZilisch appreciated the gentle hug. pic.twitter.com/9ZC3bwe4Cd
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 23, 2025

“It’s different in every way because I didn’t expect to get a call from Dale Jr. on a day I was leaving to go on vacation” Kligerman told The CW. “Obviously, hate the circumstances for Connor he’s an amazing, generational talent.

“I feel honored to have gotten the call and to grace the seat that he’s been in and that Kyle Larson‘s been in. I knew I had to hold my end of the bargain.

“Thank you to Justin Allgaier. He was a real teammate (and) we go way back. That meant a lot and Sammy Smith at the end gave us some great pushes so that helped a ton.”

Zilisch started the race, but was relieved by Kligerman as a precaution due to the shoulder injury he suffered after his win two weeks ago at Watkins Glen International.

Justin Allgaier came home in second with his teammate Sammy Smith taking third in a JRM top-three sweep.

Sam Mayer finished fourth for HAAS Factory team with Jesse Love completing the top five.

Zilisch dropped to the rear at the start of the race and Mayer and Smith led the field to green.

The field ran two by two early in stage one with Mayer and Smith continuing to control the front of the field.

On lap 10, Harrison Burton spun on the backstretch after contact with Matt DiBenedetto. No caution was thrown for the incident as Burton coasted to pit road, losing multiple laps. Burton was also struck by a damaged crush panel as he coasted around.

A light rain brought out the first caution of the race, during which Kligerman hopped behind the wheel of the No. 88.

Zilisch is out.
Kligerman is in.

There's a new driver aboard the No. 88. pic.twitter.com/zd18HOm5AM
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 23, 2025

The rain resulted in a short red flag period.

When the race resumed Smith and Mayer led the way with seven to go in stage one. The two battled side-by-side for multiple laps as they fought for the stage victory.

On the last lap of the stage, Carson Kvapil made contact with Jeb Burton, which sent him sideways, collecting Taylor Gray. At the moment of the caution, Smith was just ahead of Mayer, which was enough for him to claim the stage victory.

Love and Kligerman emerged up front at the start of stage two. The field began to make aggressive moves with three-wide racing throughout the field with multiple drivers fighting for the top spot.

Haley emerged up front midway through the stage.

With three laps to go in the stage, chaos ensued when Smith spun from contact with Jeb Burton and collected William Sawalich. Allgaier was ahead of Love at the moment of caution, giving Allgaier the stage victory.

We are three-wide for the lead!

The No. 8 gets turned! pic.twitter.com/ea7I4v2lTD
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 23, 2025

Austin Hill and Love restarted stage three on the front row. However, a caution soon followed for Anthony Alfredo who was stalled on the apron.

On the following restart, Sieg gave a push to Creed, propelling him past both RCR drivers. One lap later, Rajah Caruth spun on the backstretch, but similar to the Burton incident, no caution was thrown.

Creed and Sieg battled side-by-side as Sieg emerged with the lead.

The fifth caution came from a multi-car pileup caused by Gray suffering a tire failure. Gray spun down the track into the path of Jeremey Clements who made heavy contact with the No. 54 machine.

There's more trouble on track! @Taylor_Gray slides and collects the No. 51. pic.twitter.com/Em0RSW4w4B
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 23, 2025

With six laps to go, Sieg and Kligerman battled for the top spot with Kligerman edging ahead. Kligerman began his defense of the lead, but the big one occurred behind him, bringing out the caution.

Sieg, who led many laps late, was hooked by Leland Honeyman and was sent spinning across the race track in the path of multiple drivers. DiBenedetto, Christian Eckes, Harrison Burton, Jeb Burton and Daniel Dye were among the drivers involved.

The No. 39 gets turned in front of the field!

Multiple cars are involved in this incident on Lap 97. pic.twitter.com/6IyZ5NPT4H
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 23, 2025

On the overtime restart, Kligerman took the lead with a push from Allgaier as they made their way to the white flag. On the final lap, Allgaier made a move to get alongside Kligerman, but Smith went with Kligerman, giving him the edge.

A big crash occurred on the last lap with Kligerman out front at the moment of caution, giving his the victory.