NASCAR’s Parker Kligerman puts fans behind the wheel in racing experiment

I'm sure, at some point in our motorsports-loving lives, we've all looked at the racing on TV and asked ourselves in our finest Jeremy Clarkson voice: "How hard can it be?" 

Even now, as a fully grown adult - with a cat and everything, I look over at my wife and insist that the racing I write about every day - while fully understanding the years, blood, sweat, and tears that drivers have invested into their art - could be doable if I just had the opportunity. Of course, this is mostly just part of a ruse to buy a faster car, but a small part of me still believes I have a chance.

I'm being an idiot, obviously.

But NASCAR Truck Series driver and broadcaster Parker Kligerman has urged me to rethink this a little after a recent video from the driver puts this phenomenon to the test. The idea is simple: find fans with no racing experience and put them through a series of tasks to see if there's racing talent hidden behind the headlights. To make things more interesting, he put his own cash on the line, as well.

There were three parts to this experiment. Behind the wheel of a Lucid Air Grand Touring, the first sees the contestants accelerating and stopping in a defined box. The second tests their cornering abilities, and the third tests their car control as they link two turns together. Each of these challenges was timed, and cash prizes were given out to the top three and even doubled if they beat Kligerman's own attempt. 

The contestants consisted of Tara Dega, Rick, Austin, and Kligerman’s own brother, Bard. 

Interestingly, Bard took to the challenges like a duck to water, beating his racing driver brother despite having no racing background. As a CEO of a real estate investment and management company, he doesn't get to drive quickly behind the wheel as often as a racing driver would, but a natural talent shone through. Plus, he came out $3,500 richer.

Parker Kligerman, Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Don't be fooled, this is only a bit of fun. But it was really interesting to see how each contestant faired in these scenarios.

If you fancy doing something like this, then this won't be the last video Kligerman is going to do on the subject. He placed a link in the description box of the YouTube video offering a way to get involved in future challenges. So if you're like me and wondering how hard it can be, sign up and you might just find out.