Retzlaff comes home clean in Cup debut

RICHMOND, Va. — Parker Retzlaff came home 35th in his NASCAR Cup Series debut Sunday at Richmond Raceway in the Cook Out 400.

The debut for Retzlaff was a shocker. Many expected him to debut in the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet at Daytona later this month. However, with the 21-year-old not having any prior Cup experience, NASCAR wanted to see him behind the wheel of a Cup car before clearing him for Daytona.

This led to a last-minute partnership deal for Retzlaff, a second-year full-time driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Jordan Anderson. Carl Long let the young driver wheel his No. 66 X Insurance MBM Motorsports Ford at Richmond.

Parker was slowest in both practice and qualifying, anchoring the field in 37th. However, the initial speed out of Retzlaff was surprising.

MBM Motorsports has struggled to find speed in their return to the Cup Series this year. But, Retzlaff managed to show MBM’s best oval speed all-season.

Retzlaff carried that speed over to the race, keeping up with the other cars at the back of the field. Although he didn’t make a green flag pass for position the whole race, Retzlaff kept his nose clean and was aggressive on the option tire.

Thanks to attrition in the race, Retzlaff came home 35th, six laps down.

Per a source familiar with the matter, Retzlaff has received clearance to race at Daytona in a couple weeks.