Parker Kligerman took his 2nd career win in Saturday’s Fred’s 250 at Talladega.  Kligerman was driving for a part time team, Henderson Motorsports.  For Kligerman, it was his first win in 5 years and his 2nd Talladega win.  Kligerman is normally a pit reporter for NASCAR on NBC, but runs a part time schedule with Henderson Motorsports.  “It’s all a blur,” he said. “Each corner you’re making six decisions, and they happened to work. It was just crazy. Every move worked. It’s just sometimes they click. Those last 10 laps, if I went high and separated the back, or if I tried to get the bump and the run, every move just worked. Sometimes they go your way.”  The 2nd big one of the race happened on the last lap, bringing out the race ending caution.

The 1st edition of the big one happened on lap 70 when Cody Coughlin was turned up into the pack, taking out many other trucks, including Chris Fontaine and Ben Rhodes.  Coughlin nearly hit the catch fence when his truck lifted in the air and on it’s side.  Playoff driver John Hunter Nemechek barely avoided it.

Kaz Grala got in a crash early that took him out of the race and the playoffs.  “I’m proud of our efforts,” Grala said.  “We did everything we could do.  It’s too bad our championship hopes have ended this week.  But we have a few more races to dig.”  Chase Briscoe began leaking fluid on lap 4, and came to the garage on lap 7 to replace a part in his engine.  The setback caused him to be eliminated.  “It would’ve been a heck of a story,” Briscoe said. “John Hunter had his issue… we could definitely taste it.  As much as I want to give Brad [Keselowski, owner] this championship, we still have four races. It definitely is hard to look at the positives right now. Even though we’re shutting down the end of the year, we’re still fighting.”

Here are the current points standings.       (R) – Rookie

DRIVER                         POINTS

Christopher Bell             3,047

Johnny Sauter               3,027

Matt Crafton                  3,014

John H. Nemechek       3,014

Ben Rhodes                  3,013

Austin Cindric(R)          3,007