NASCAR podcast: Previewing the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race at Daytona
The guys break down race week at Daytona International Speedway. How does the NASCAR playoff picture look? Who needs to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400?
- Parker Kligerman filled in for injured Connor Zilisch, leading 12 laps and winning the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
- Natalie Decker returned to NASCAR after giving birth six months ago, finishing 22nd.
- DeLand native Daniel Dye was involved in a large wreck and finished 35th.
DAYTONA BEACH — Parker Kligerman won’t receive official credit.
The Wawa 250 victory will go to Connor Zilisch’s total, extending his NASCAR Xfinity Series lead to seven wins this season.
But that doesn’t mean Kligerman didn’t drive the heck out of the No. 88 JR Motorsports machine Friday, Aug. 22, at Daytona International Speedway.
Following the pre-race plan, the injured Zilisch started the race and immediately dropped to the back to avoid the draft. He drove the first 13 laps but pitted during the first caution and climbed out of the car. Kligerman hopped in.
The 35-year-old ended up leading 12 laps, including both during the overtime restart. He held off Justin Allgaier and Sammy Smith.
His storyline doesn’t stop there, either.
Let’s dive in.
1. Parker Kligerman replaces Connor Zilisch and capitalizes
After triumphing at Watkins Glen two weeks ago, Zilisch slipped from atop his racecar in Victory Lane and tumbled to the ground. He broke his collarbone and underwent surgery to repair it last week. He obtained medical clearance on Thursday.
But it wasn’t worth the re-injury risk for the hotshot prospect to endure the whole Daytona race.
A plan was devised. Dale Earnhardt Jr. called Kligerman. Zilisch would start the race in order to keep the points, and Kligerman would replace him early.
It worked.
It was especially sweet for Kligerman, now a part-time racer and full-time broadcaster. It was redemption. He claimed the Daytona Truck Series win for Henderson Motorsports before being stripped of it for failing inspection.
Kligerman has competed in five Truck events this year. Friday served as his first Xfinity Series appearance.
2. Natalie Decker competes in NASCAR as new mom
Natalie Decker gave birth just six months ago. Now, she’s back in a racecar.
She returned to NASCAR for the first time since May 2024 and finished 22nd in the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing.
Decker has plenty of NASCAR experience. Since 2016, she possesses 13 Xfinity starts and 32 Truck Series starts. Before the Wawa 250, her last Xfinity appearance occurred at Daytona in the 2024 United Rentals 300.
The 28-year-old welcomed her first child, a son named Levi, with husband Derek Lemke in February.
3. DeLand native Daniel Dye gets caught in Big One
Daniel Dye’s latest race at his home track didn’t go as he might have hoped.
The DeLand native got caught among the 11 drivers in the Big One with four laps to go. He was situated in the middle of the pack. Other notables involved: Matt DiBenedetto, Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton and Aric Almirola.
The wreck triggered an overtime restart, and Dye placed 35th.
This is the 21-year-old’s first full-time season in the Xfinity Series after spending the last two campaigns in the Truck Series. He has collected seven top-10s. His best performances were a pair of seventh-place marks at Atlanta and Martinsville.
4. NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season includes 2 more races
Yes, Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 is the final race of the Cup Series’ regular season.
But the Xfinity Series will continue on.
The circuit will head to Portland International Raceway for the Pacific Office Automation 147 next weekend. The 75-lap race is set for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 30. It will air on The CW.
After that, the Xfinity drivers will make their last playoff push at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, on Sept. 6. The postseason kicks off with the Round of 12 on Sept. 12.
