Penske Racing’s Parker Kligerman to drive first five Nationwide races
Penske Racing development driver Parker Kligerman is scheduled to compete in the first five Nationwide Series races this year for Team 42 Racing, Penske Racing officials announced today.
Team 42 competed as Smith-Ganassi Racing last season.
The 19-year-old Kligerman will have his car guided by former Cup crew chief Chris Carrier, who helped lead Kligerman to nine victories and a second-place finish in the Automobile Racing Club of America Series last year.
“We believe Parker has a bright future in NASCAR, and like many young drivers, what he needs most right now is experience,” Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said in a news release. “This is a great opportunity for him to continue his development in the Nationwide Series.”
The relationship with the Eddie Smith-owned team began at the 2009 Nationwide Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Although Kligerman failed to qualify in a Penske Racing car, he was able to drive the No. 42 Dodge in his second series race and finished 25th.
Additional races could be added to Kligerman’s 2010 schedule.
“I am really looking forward to competing in the first five races of the season in the No. 42 Nationwide Series Dodge,” Kligerman said. “It is so important for me to continue to learn and develop at this stage of my career.”
The No. 42 team did not compete in all the races last year and unless the team makes a deal with a current top-35 team, Kligerman will have to make the Daytona race based on qualifying speed.
