After running their second fulltime season last year, Big Machine Racing committed to one driver for the full 2023 season. That driver was Parker Kligerman, who would be running his first fulltime season since 2013. 2022 saw the team pick up their first win with Tyler Reddick at Texas. For 2023, the goal would be to make the playoffs. As a second-tiered team, that would be a challenge to compete with the top equipped teams. However, the foundation was there for a solid season from the 48 car. Did Big Machine Racing meet their expectations to receive a quality score for this Season in Review?
Jade Buford – #5
2023 Stat Line: 2 Starts – Avg Start 7, Avg Finish, 1 LLF, 1 DNF
Crew Chief: Chris Carrier
Before discussing the main driver of Big Machine Racing, Jade Buford made two superspeedway starts for the team in the 5 car. While neither run was anything memorable, it was surprising to see the 5 car qualify so well. Unfortunately for Buford, his qualifying efforts did little to score a quality finish. In the season opener at Daytona, Buford finished 25th. Meanwhile, Buford got caught up in a wreck at Talladega, resulting in a DNF in his final start for the team in 2023.
Parker Kligerman – #48
2023 Stat Line:Â 33 Starts – 8 Top-5s, 18 Top-10s, 31 Laps Led, Avg Fin 13.2
Crew Chief: Patrick Donahue
Driver Points Ranking: 10;Â Owner Points Ranking: 13
Notable Results: 2 second place finishes; Finished backwards at spring Atlanta after leading late in race
After a season where Cup Series drivers took their turn in the 48 car, Parker Kligerman became the fulltime driver for 2023. Heading into the season, the expectation was that Kligerman could wield the 48 car into respectable runs and compete for top finishes at some tracks. Outside the superspeedways, the road courses looked to be the best place for Kligerman to make some noise. A playoff spot would be the goal, but settling for solid runs would have made this team happy.
Somewhat surprisingly, Kligerman overdelivered in his equipment. While 48 team won a race in 2022, Richard Childress Racing likely had an influence when Tyler Reddick was in the car. However, Kligerman competed with the big teams all season long. His 8 Top-5s were more than Sheldon Creed, Sammy Smith, and Daniel Hemric, all drivers who are racing in better equipment. Yet, Kligerman and the 48 team were able to outrace them most weekends.
There were a couple of close calls for Kligerman to nab a win. At spring Atlanta, Kligerman was battling Austin Hill in the closing laps for the lead. A bad block ended up with Kligerman finishing the race backwards, but still in the Top-5. Kligerman took second at both Road America and Texas. Kligerman attempted in vein to surpass John Hunter Nemechek in the Texas playoff race to advance to the second round.
2023 Grade: A
Few fans were expecting Parker Kligerman to make the playoffs this season. However, Kligerman did so in impressive fashion. His playoff run might have ended in the first round, but that does not diminish how well he ran all season. His 18 Top-10s tied him for sixth in the Xfinity Series. Meanwhile, his 13.2 average finish ranked him fifth out of the fulltime drivers.
Maybe Big Machine Racing’s equipment is better than what fans thought. However, Kligerman’s inability to battle for race wins at non-superspeedways or road courses would say otherwise. Kligerman is a steady hand at the wheel that avoids mistakes. His 2 DNFs back that up. When his (young) competitors made crucial errors, Kligerman was there to capitalize on them. Driver craft seemed to play a bigger role in the quality finishes rather than the pure speed of the equipment.
2024 Outlook
With how well he ran, it was no surprise that Big Machine Racing again tabbed Parker Kligerman to drive their 48 car next year. He did point his way into the Xfinity Series Playoffs after all. For 2024, both driver and team need to make the jump. While it would be tough to believe that Kligerman will be battling for Top-5s weekly, 2023 proved that both driver and car are capable of nabbing a win. That should be the main goal next season.
However, Kligerman’s best chance at a win (outside of a superspeedway) might be a tougher challenge this season. AJ Allmendinger is returning to the Xfinity Series. Plus, Shane van Gisbergen joins the second series as well. Two more powerhouse road course drivers might squeeze Kligerman from winning his first career Xfinity Series race.
Big Machine Racing Grade: A-
Each season, Big Machine Racing has made steady improvements. From their first win last year to their first driver playoff appearance, the young team could be one on the rise. The next step for Big Machine Racing will be to lock their car into the owners’ playoffs. While Parker Kligerman made the drivers’ version, the open cars of Kaulig and Joe Gibbs kept the 48 team out. Next season needs to see both driver and team make their respective playoffs.
While the team is still behind the top organizations, Big Machine Racing proved that they can be a competitive force in the Xfinity Series. A win in 2024 is not off the table. However, the team does need to make improvements on the intermediates and short tracks. That will be their big test moving forward. If Parker Kligerman and the 48 car can run inside the Top-5 at those tracks, then Big Machine Racing might be set up for a successful future.
For other 2023 Season in Review articles, click the link(s) below:
Griffin Fuller
- Cup: Team Penske, Wood Brothers, Stewart-Haas Racing, Trackhouse Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, RFK Racing, The Money Team/Beard Motorsports
- Xfinity: Stewart-Haas Racing, AM Racing, JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Kaulig Racing
Robert Cwick – JTG-Daugherty, Live Fast, Front Row (Part 1), Front Row (Part 2), Legacy Motor ClubÂ
Daniel Smith (Statistical Breakdown)
- Cup: Team Penske/Wood Brothers, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI & Legacy Motor Club, RFK/Front Row, Trackhouse/RCR, Stewart-Haas Racing, JTG/Rick Ware/Live Fast, Kaulig/Spire, Final Rankings
- Xfinity: Stewart-Haas/AM Racing, JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing/Sam Hunt Racing, RCR/Kaulig Racing, Big Machine/Jeremy Clements/BJ McLeod/Our Motorsports, Jordan Anderson/DGM, RSS Racing, JD Motorsports/SS Green Light Racing, Alpha Prime/Emerling-Gase, Final Rankings
- Trucks: Thorsports, GMS Racing, Niece Motorsports, TRICON Garage, McAnally-Hilgemann/Rackley W.A.R, Rev Racing/KBM, Front Row/Hattori/Halmar Friesen/AM Racing/Reaume Brother, CR7/Bret Holmes Racing/Hill Motorsports, Roper Racing/Young’s Motorsports, Final Rankings
