Four years ago, Staples freshman Parker Kligerman was a novice race car driver—and the Westport News’s first selection for “15 Minutes of Fame.” He had just started at the Skip Barber Driving School, and set his sights on a racing career. (He also looked forward to getting his driver’s license the next year.)
Now Kligerman is a few days away from graduation. He’s headed to college. He’s also a member of the Penske team. He’s gained insights far beyond racing, in areas like business and marketing.
And in mid-May he won the biggest race of his career, fending off challenges from veterans in the ARCA RE/MAX Series 200 at Toledo Speedway. “It was incredible,” he said. “I worked so hard to get there. I almost couldn’t believe it.”
It takes stamina, smarts, nerves of steel, quick reflexes and concentration. It also takes commitment—not easy to do when, like Kligerman, you’re still in high school.
However, Kligerman has been oval racing for only a year and a half. “My learning curve has really accelerated,” he said. “Now I know what it takes to win.”
Soon, things started breaking Kligerman’s way. He caught the eye of Penske officials, who invited him to meetings. The high schooler met with Penske’s president and head of the Cup program. “They were looking for a kid to sign,” Kligerman said. “We put together a development deal, and that was it.”
Penske planned an eight-race schedule for this year. Kligerman has done so well, they’ve already added more.
His Staples experience has been both fun and valuable. “I’ve grown as a person,” he said. “It’s funny to look back. I used to be arrogant. Now I look at the world so differently. I didn’t understand people. Now I think I know how to deal with them.”
This fall, Kligerman will continue to race. He’ll do so as a college student, at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. The location is perfect: half an hour from Mooresville (“Race City USA”), where many NASCAR teams are headquartered. The school also has a strong sports marketing program—a possible major for Kligerman.
| 
|