NASCAR rookie Parker Kligerman to test Indy Lights

Parker Kligerman started the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with high hopes, but in April his luck turned for the worse. Swan Racing, who Kligerman was then driving for, merged with BK Racing, and the 24-year old rookie lost his ride in the process.

Since then, he’s moved over to a television analyst role at NBCSN’s NASCAR AMERICA, and also writing for car culture website Jalopnik.

But now, Kligerman is headed back to racing, though it’s not for NASCAR.

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced that Kligerman will test at Chris Griffis Memorial Road to Indy test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course this weekend.

“Ever since I drove a go-kart for the first time, my quest was to advance to the top levels of open-wheel racing,” Kligerman said via press release. “After winning an open-wheel championship in 2006, I found myself on a different path; driving stock cars. I spent five years in the top three NASCAR divisions, but unfortunate circumstances rerouted my path earlier this year.

“I’ve always looked for opportunities that can further my career, so I want to thank Sam [Schmidt] and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for this opportunity in Indy Lights to test an open-wheel car for the first time in eight years. Although it will be a challenge, I’m looking forward to having fun and working with a championship-caliber, open-wheel team.”