Parker Kligerman at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo courtesy: Brian Clark
For more information contact:
Monica Hilton monica@242mph.com
608.669.3211
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parker Kligerman to Test at
IMS for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
Indianapolis, IN - September 9, 2014 - Parker Kligerman announced today that he
will drive an Indy Lights car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports during the Mazda
Road to Indy "Chris Griffis Memorial Test" this weekend at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
The Mazda Road
to Indy (MRTI) is one of the most successful driver development programs in the
world, providing a unique, scholarship-funded path to reach the Verizon IndyCar
Series and the Indianapolis 500.
Kligerman is no
stranger to the world of open-wheel racing. At 15 years old, he proved his prowess
by winning all three of the races he entered at the prestigious Skip Barber
Racing Series. In 2006, the Westport, Connecticut native won 11 of 14 races and
earned the Formula TR Pro Series 1600 title. He then had a successful stint in
USAC midget racing before eventually racing stock cars.
When Kligerman's
2014 race team ceased operation early in the season, the 24-year-old, NASCAR
Sprint Cup rookie was undeterred. He spent the last few months focusing on the
growth of his company, Nootelligence, in addition to joining the NBC Sports
anchor team as an analyst and hosting a weekly podcast.
Following the
success that Kligerman has achieved so far in a variety of motorsports
disciplines, the Indy Lights test will allow him to use his open-wheel racing
experience to explore new opportunities for the next phase of his racing
career.
"Ever since I
drove a go-kart for the first time, my quest was to advance to the top levels
of open-wheel racing," said Kligerman. "After winning an open-wheel
championship in 2006, I found myself on a different path; driving stock cars. I
spent five years in the top three NASCAR divisions, but unfortunate
circumstances rerouted my path earlier this year.
"I've always
looked for opportunities that can further my career, so I want to thank Sam
[Schmidt] and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for this opportunity in Indy Lights
to test an open-wheel car for the first time in eight years. Although it will
be a challenge, I'm looking forward to having fun and working with a
championship-caliber, open-wheel team."
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team owner Sam
Schmidt commented, "We have watched the exodus of many drivers from
IndyCar to NASCAR over the years... Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon,
Danica Patrick, the list goes on. Kurt Busch competing in the Indy 500 this
year was awesome and I believe he showed the world what is possible.
"I have watched Parker ascend the NASCAR ranks
over the years where he has shown speed and maturity, both qualities at the top
of our list when evaluating new drivers.
"In this test, we will be looking for how Parker
adapts to the much lighter and less horsepower characteristics of the Indy
Lights car, as well as how quickly he learns road course techniques. Given that
the change in equipment and type of circuit are so radical, we don't have huge
expectations for a really fast time. What we will be looking for is how well he
listens and if there is the potential for him to be successful in open wheel
going forward. We are very excited to see what happens."
Indy Lights
practice at the "Chris Griffis Memorial Test" will take place on both Saturday,
September 13 and Sunday, September 14 from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 4:20-5:35
p.m. Kligerman will be available for media interviews during the lunch break
both days from 12:45-1:15 p.m.
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About PK Racing
Founded in 2007,
Parker Racing LLC was created to further the career of Parker Kligerman in the
world of professional motorsports. Run by a small team of family members and
managed by Bob Perona, PK Racing has helped Parker successfully earn an
impressive track record in multiple racing disciplines, in addition to a spot
in the top rung of the NASCAR ladder, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
About Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) was
established in 2001 and is owned by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and
businessman Ric Peterson. Schmidt was paralyzed (quad) in 2000 after an
accident during testing at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla. SPM
fields cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Indianapolis 500, and Firestone
Indy Lights. SPM is the most successful team in Firestone Indy Lights history
with seven championships. In addition, SPM has qualified 17 cars in the
Indianapolis 500 since 2001 and, in 2011, won the coveted Indy 500 pole. SPM
also fields the #77 entry driven by Simon Pagenaud, the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year who finished third in the 2013
IndyCar Series Championship.
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Topics: Parker Kligerman, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
