On the final lap at Daytona, the NASCAR Xfinity Series race ended under caution when Parker Kligerman spun out AJ Allmendinger. The two had worked so well together all night, and then one bad move ruined it all.

These were two winless drivers hoping for a win on the sport’s biggest stage. It’s tough racing that happens. Parker Kligerman had no obligations to AJ Allmendinger other than the two were friends and Chevy teammates.

After the race, Kligerman talked about the last lap and what happened.

“I’m going to watch the replay here for the first time. I’m going to the left,” Kligerman explained as he watched the replay. “Yeah, and then… he just tries to match me. I hate it. AJ and I were great. We were the two best non-Toyotas all day. And I just had a run and had to go, and I felt like it was a run I had to make to try to put myself way down there to win this race. I felt like the last one in four races was going to win it, and yeah, I don’t know what to do there.

“So, I hate it. I love him like a brother, you know, he and I have been in this together for a long time and I don’t want to change anybody’s mind like that, but I would have loved to finish under green too. … We did everything right, we never led a lap, but I think we were probably the most times in the top three, so we had a really strong car, a strong night overall, but God, I just want to win something like that so bad.”

Parker Kligerman gets points back after penalty

Parker Kligerman and his team were penalized after last week’s race. They received 20 points less than in the regular season and were also deducted 5 playoff points. Today’s third place is extremely important for the 48er team.

“Oh yeah, it’s huge. You know, I mean, this was a big, important night. We knew it was a big opportunity. You know, last year we were in a worse position and had a big night. There’s something about Daytona in the summer that I love, but I just don’t know that it feels like it even matters without a win. I have to win one of these damn races, it’s ridiculous at this point. I just want to win.”

This is a big deal for Kligerman and his team. They are 44 points above the cutline and there are four races left until the playoffs.