Catchfence

Parker Kligerman

No. 7 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra

Start: 11th

Finish: 4th

Point Standings: 5th

Brooklyn, Mich. (Aug. 18, 2012) — Making his first start in the No. 7 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, Parker Kligerman set his sights on a solid finish to bring home after his crew worked countless hours to put together his Tundra for competition over the past week. New pavement on the two-mile asphalt oval created pack racing that relied heavily on drafting, much like restrictor plate racing. Kligerman put his driving skills to work and raced tight with the lead pack from the drop of the green flag, allowing him to pull away with a fourth place finish.

Very content after climbing into the seat of his No. 7 Red Horse Racing Tundra for the first time on Friday, Kligerman finished two of the three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) practice sessions prior to the scheduled end time. Crew chief Chad Kendrick and Kligerman agreed that the race would come down to hanging on in the draft and avoiding incidents to make it to the end for a chance at the win. With that strategy in mind, along with a stout Tundra underneath him, Kligerman methodically picked his way into the lead pack, just outside the top-five within the first few laps of the VFW 200.

Calling to Kendrick for the first time on lap eight, Kligerman reported his Tundra was too loose for his liking, especially in the draft in turns three and four. His first chance to pit came on lap 13 during the first debris caution, allowing his Red Horse Racing crew to make a few adjustments and help tighten him up.

After the restart, Kligerman continued his charge while drafting with the leaders through the next portion of the event, staying just within striking distance. His No. 7 Tundra still remained a little loose in traffic, but Kendrick assured his driver that everyone was fighting the same battle and he just needed to hang on until the end.

Following the final caution of the afternoon on lap 59, Kligerman held his position with the front pack and found himself in contention as the laps wound down. Crew chief Chad Kendrick called his driver down pit road with less than 15 laps remaining and the Red Horse Racing pit crew gave their driver enough fuel to make it to the finish. Running in seventh when the white flag flew, Kligerman passed a couple of trucks as they ran out of fuel in front of him and the No. 7 Tundra came across the finish line in fourth place.

“No one had told me there was fuel mileage racing at the end of the race, so when we passed a few trucks there on the last lap, I thought I just made a pass for the win,” Kligerman described.

“But fourth place is an awesome start for this No. 7 Red Horse Racing team. I can’t say thank you enough to Toyota, Toyota Racing Development and everyone on this team that spent so many hours in the shop over the past week to get this Tundra to the track. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and I look at a run like we had today and I know that this is an organization that can go win the championship.”

- Red Horse Racing Press Release