Parker Kligerman was a surprise entrant for the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing team for this weekend’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway at Gateway. While Kligerman and the team were looking to get off to a hot start in practice, the No. 15 car took things a little too literally.
The Ford Mustang burst into flames. Kligerman slowed the car and was bringing it to the garage area. At that point, the car erupted.
Here is video of the No. 15 car catching on fire:
A big fire in the No. 15 machine for Parker Kligerman and Rick Ware Racing at WWT Raceway. https://t.co/dOnNS78yo7 pic.twitter.com/F2QLtpUuKh
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 3, 2022
Fortunately, Kligerman was able to climb from the car and after he climbed out, he voiced his frustration as he felt his car was really competitive.
“Thanks to Rick Ware Racing for the opportunity,” Kligerman said. “I was really looking forward to it. I felt like those first couple of laps were pretty good. Way closer than I thought we’d be. Come in, I needed to reset the wheel. I started to collect my thoughts a little bit. Talk about what I just learned driving one of these for the first time.
“Then, as I was coming in, some smoke was billowing out. It was funny, because Bubba Wallace was in front of me with a left rear down smoking. So, I didn’t know if it was his smoke or my smoke. But then suddenly, no this is us.”