A new year, yet the same old misfortune for Parker Kligerman. The NASCAR star is currently a full-time broadcaster on NBC and The CW, as he left behind a full-time Xfinity Series seat. Kligerman also left behind a heavy heart – during the Charlotte playoff race in the 2024 Xfinity Series. He came within inches of the victory before NASCAR threw a caution flag. But although Kligerman thought he had moved on from that heartbreak, it is still pursuing him.

While working in the booth, Parker Kligerman has a part-time Craftsman Truck Series seat under Henderson Motorsports. Although the expectations were low after last year’s heartbreak, Kligerman soared to victory in the season-opening race. But just when he thought redemption had come his way, another heartbreak stole his sparkle.

NASCAR denies Parker Kligerman his win

The Fresh From Florida 250 race kicked off last week with Ben Rhodes at the pole. But the race witnessed Parker Kligerman wheeling his No. 75 Henderson Motorsports ride to beat Rhodes’ initial glory. He charged from outside the top ten toward the lead in the closing laps, beating his rivals to take his fourth Craftsman Truck Series checkered flag. However, just an hour after Kligerman’s victory, NASCAR nullified it, claiming the No. 75 truck failed ride height checks and was too low in the rear. Kligerman was not ready to let go as he appealed on Saturday morning, claiming that he and his team had a “valid case.”

However, even the appeal has been turned down by NASCAR. According to Bob Pockrass, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel confirmed that “it is more likely than not a rules violation.” However, certain concerning details developed later in this process. According to journalist Heather Williams, the team claimed there was a discrepancy due to NASCAR’s instructions. “Henderson Motorsports says the truck was low in the back because NASCAR instructed them to raise the front to pass inspection. They claim if not for that they would have been clear by 1/4 inch.” Even Jeff Gluck confirmed the same: “Henderson argued the rear end was too low because inspectors instructed the team to raise the front of the truck higher than necessary to pass inspection.”

This complicates matters way more, as the evidence points at NASCAR. If not for its inconsistent instructions, Parker Kligerman‘s victory would still be legitimate. The three-member panel that denied his appeal comprised Bill Mullis, Tommy Wheeler, and Kevin Whitaker, who confirmed that no further appeals are available. This situation enraged Landon Cassill, Kligerman’s ‘Money Lap’ co-host. “The reason it is “more likely than not”, instead of “beyond a shadow of a doubt” is because there are unwritten procedures that were not followed by NASCAR during inspection. Unfortunately for PK, that one goes to The House.”

Other veterans of the sport, including the race winner, also took sides with Parker Kligerman.

Sympathies ringing out across the garage

Well, people were shocked the first time NASCAR let down Parker Kligerman. Despite Kaden Honeycutt’s car spinning out, NASCAR waited several seconds as his car lay idle on the Charlotte Roval. The authorities came back to their senses mere seconds before Kligerman crossed the finish line. The thin time difference raised eyebrows across the community, as fans believed NASCAR was deliberately denying Kligerman his glory. This time also, it seems like the sport is continuing its objective, and that is very concerning for Kligerman’s peers. After Kligerman lost his win, TRICON Garage driver Corey Heim was announced as the winner.

Yet Heim regretted Parker Kligerman’s heartbreak. “It s—s for Parker [Kligerman] and those guys. It seemed like they put themselves in a position at the right time to win the race, but obviously, there is another level to it after the race.” Denny Hamlin also reflected on Kligerman’s repeated misery: “I mean, it’s such a tough thing for him, because he’s maybe going to win an Xfinity race and that didn’t work. And we were talking about like, ‘When’s the caution getting thrown?’ And then now this Truck race, where you went on the biggest stage at the biggest track, and he has a chance to lose that, as well.”

A sea of criticism is engulfing NASCAR as this marks the second time it let down Parker Kligerman. Unless the latest discrepancy is solved soon, Kligerman’s fans may be frustrated.