Beard Motorsports announced that Parker Retzlaff, a 21-year-old from Rhineland, Wisconsin, will drive their No. 62 Chevrolet in the Cup race at Daytona International Speedway on August 25.
The team, which is small and family-owned with only one car, plans to have its No. 62 Chevrolet in at least four Cup races in 2024. Before Retzlaff, Anthony Alfredo drove for the team in the Daytona 500 and the spring race at Talladega.
Retzlaff currently races full-time for Jordan Anderson Racing. He has competed in 54 Xfinity races, with three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
Retzlaff expressed his excitement about racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially at Daytona, saying, “It’s what I have been working for and it’s what everyone that races in the lower series work toward. It’s an exciting time getting ready to make my first start in the Cup Series and it’s an incredible opportunity to do this with Beard Motorsports.”
He has performed well on superspeedways this season in Xfinity, achieving a career-best third place in the season opener at Daytona and fifth place a week later at Atlanta. He also finished fourth in the 2023 Daytona season opener.
Beard Motorsports has had several drivers since its Cup series debut in 2017, including Brendan Gaughan, Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, and Anthony Alfredo.
Amie Beard, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports, commented on the team’s readiness and excitement to work with young drivers like Retzlaff, saying, “Parker certainly seems eager to prove himself and we are looking forward to working with him and helping him to further his goals.”
