Charlotte
Parker Kligerman and the Spiked Light Coolers team day ended early in Charlotte.
“Tough day,” said Parker Kligerman. “Car was a handful and I lost it in 3 & 4. Haven’t done that in a long time - very angry with myself. But mistakes are a part of life & racing. Met a lot of great fans this weekend, who were really kind. Thanks for your support - we’ll bounce back stronger.”
Cup driver Chase Elliott grabbed the lead after a lap 183 restart and held it the rest of the way to win the race in his first Xfinity Series start of the season
Parker is ninth in points with 307.
The team rolls out west to Portland, Oregon next Saturday.
Overview
Event: BetMGM 300
Date: Saturday May 25, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. eastern
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Layout: 1.5 mile quad oval
Laps: 200
Miles: 300
Stage Lengths: Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)
TV: FOX
Radio: Sirius XM Channel 90 and PRN.
Driver Points: 9th in points for the season with 306
"I know it's two weeks later, but I am still on cloud nine about our speed at Darlington,” says Parker Kligerman. “Our whole team has been pumped up, and we are all excited to get to Charlotte. This race is one of my favorites of the year. First, it is an honor to race on Memorial Day weekend, which has become one of motorsport's most sacred traditions honoring our armed forces. Add in that this race is 300 miles on a bumpy, pretty high tire fall-off racetrack that requires you to move around a ton and keep finding speed through a run, making it one where I can make a big difference as a driver. If we can do that and have the speed we had at Darlington, we will have a big weekend ahead in our Spiked Light Coolers Chevy! Lets gooo!"
NASCAR Xfinity Series celebrates Memorial Day Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway
There have been 78 NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway dating back to the inaugural event on May 29, 1982, which was won by Harry Grant.
The track has produced 39 different race winners and 50 different pole winners in the Xfinity Series. OF the 78 races, 13 have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Justin Allgaier last season (2023).
As with many tracks the Xfinity Series competes at, Kyle Busch has etched his name in the Charlotte Motor Speedway record books with the most wins (nine), top fives (19), top 10s (22), lead lap finishes (22) and laps led (1,475).
The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ on-track action at the 1.5-mile track will kick off with practice at 3:35 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 4:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May 24.
Eleven different winners in last 11 Xfinity races at Charlotte
A hot streak of 11 different winners has swept over Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, dating back to 2015.
Austin Dillon was the last repeat winner in the Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, sweeping both series events in 2015. Since then, 10 other drivers have added their names to the list bringing the different winners streak to 11 – Dillon (2015), Denny Hamlin (2016), Joey Logano (2016), Ryan Blaney (2017), Alex Bowman (2017), Brad Keselowski (2018), Tyler Reddick (2019), Kyle Busch (2020), Ty Gibbs (2021), Josh Berry (2022), and Justin Allgaier (2023).
However, it’s possible the streak will end as three previous winners are entered in this weekend’s BetMGM 300 – Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs and Justin Allgaier.
If Allgaier lands himself in Victory Lane and pulls off the back-to-back win, he will become just the seventh different driver to accomplish feat; joining Harry Gant (1987 sweep), Rob Moroso (1988-1989 sweep), Jeff Gordon (1992 sweep), Mark Martin (1995-1996 sweep), Kyle Busch (2008 sweep, 2009-2010, 2013 sweep), and Austin Dillon (2015 sweep).
Several drivers racing multiple series this weekend at Charlotte
With Charlotte Motor Speedway serving as a “home game” for many drivers, several NASCAR Cup Series regulars will be looking to get some extra seat time in Saturday’s race.
Kyle Busch will be getting behind the wheel of the No. 33 for his fifth Xfinity Series start of the 2024 season. Throughout his career, he’s made 26 Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, posting nine wins, 19 top fives, 22 top 10s, and has led 1,475 laps – all of which are a record at the track.
Chase Elliott will be piloting the No. 17 for his first Xfinity Series start of the season. He has made five starts in the series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, posting three top-five finishes.
Ty Gibbs will be joining in on the fun behind the wheel of the No. 20 for his second Xfinity Series start of the season. He’s made three series starts at the Charlotte track, posting three top-five finishes and a win in his debut at the track in 2021.
Noah Gragson will get behind the wheel of the No. 30 for his first Xfinity Series start of the season. He’s made four series starts at the Charlotte track, with two top-five and two top-10 finishes.