151 - Hopeful Glimmers - Parker Kligerman Jumps From the Driver’s Seat to the Broadcast Booth

Speed Street

Conor Daly is back this week with one pressing question: where did all the IndyCar drivers go? He and co-host Chase Holden discuss the lack of social media presence a lot of the paddock has displayed since the season finale in Nashville. They also debate whether race fans having access to drivers’ personal lives is good for the growth of the sport. Conor brings up the discourse surrounding NASCAR’s Playoff system and how it has kept NASCAR relevant in a sports market dominated by football. They also respond to Romain Grosjean’s spicy comments about how he will likely be sitting out next season due to a lack of funding after one of the best seasons in his career.

Longtime NASCAR competitor and NBC broadcaster Parker Kligerman joins the show to discuss his decision to leave the pursuit of full-time racing to further his career in television. He and Conor relate on the ups and downs of being underfunded in racing, and how the glimmers of hope often drive several more years in the grind. Parker goes into what he describes as a symbiotic relationship between racing on Saturdays and broadcasting on Sundays, where he’s able to take anecdotes from his time behind the wheel that help him on camera. He also provides some insight into what else he’d like to try in motorsports before hanging up the helmet for good. Finally, the guys tackle the ever burning question of how to help spread the word of IndyCar.