3 potential replacements for Parker Kligerman at Big Machine Racing in 2025

Parker Kligerman recently announced that he will not return to Big Machine Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Kligerman came back to full-time racing in the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro for the team last year and finished the season 9th in the standings with three top-five finishes.

Big Machine Racing has worked with several talented drivers in the past and speculations about who will fill his seat are underway. Here are three potential replacements for Kligerman at Big Machine Racing in 2025.

1. Jade Buford

Jade Buford has competed in sports car racing since 2009 and earned multiple wins and podium finishes. He switched to NASCAR in 2020.

Buford joined Big Machine Racing in 2021, driving the No. 48 Chevrolet for a full season. He had several strong finishes, including a best result of ninth at Michigan International Speedway. Buford ran only eight races in 2022 before being replaced. However, he returned to drive the No. 5 car at Daytona and Talladega for the team in 2023. He joined Mike Harmon Racing (MHR) for the 2024 season in the No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro.

Buford's experience with Big Machine Racing and 47 Xfinity Series starts could make him a good fit to replace Kligerman.

2. Matt DiBenedetto

Matt DiBenedetto offers experience in both the Cup and Truck Series. He had plans to race part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 but the deal fell through. Viking Motorsports later signed him for a part-time Xfinity schedule and he earned several top-10 finishes this season.

The 33-year-old could be a potential experienced option to take over the No. 48 car in 2025, with 88 Xfinity and 248 Cup Series starts.

3. Nick Sanchez

Nick Sanchez, who won the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2022, is another possible choice.

Sanchez also raced for Big Machine Racing in the No. 48 for a few races in the 2022 season. Driving for Rev Racing, he won his first race at Daytona in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year. His rising career makes him a strong candidate for the open spot at Big Machine Racing.

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"Not been nearly as successful as I’ve wanted to be" - Parker Kligerman on his decision to leave Big Machine Racing

Parker Kligerman announced on his podcast “The Money Lap” that he will stop pursuing full-time NASCAR rides.

Kligerman explained that after months of thinking, he decided to step away after a reflective moment during a run in San Francisco. He said (via Jayski.com):

"It’s not a small decision and definitely didn’t happen overnight...I went for a run and ended up on top of the mountain overlooking the water in San Francisco and I had this moment where I was like, ‘I think I’m good. I think I want to finish this year out and then see what’s next'....Not been nearly as successful as I’ve wanted to be.… I think that started sitting in my mind a little bit.”