Parker Ives, the son of former NASCAR crew chief Greg Ives, has always been around and loved racing. In his racing career so far, he has seen success in karting and started racing Legend cars last year. While now competing in the Young Lions Division, he has enjoyed running road courses and is looking forward to competing in the Cook Out Summer Shootout this summer.
Hometown: Davidson, North Carolina
Number: 48
Team: MPM Direct
Division: Legend Car Young Lions
Favorite Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway.
1. How did you get your start in racing?
I started with a friend who took us to the racetrack. I thought that it was cool, and I ran dirt for about two years on a flat car. After that he showed us karting, and I did a test on that and loved it. I still do karting, and last year in the 5th round of the Summer Shootout I did my first race in a Legend Car.
2. How did you get your number?
My dad worked on the 48 for Jimmie Johnson, and it ended up that I picked the 48 and I’ve used it since I was six and started racing.
3. Who is your biggest inspiration?
I would say Connor Zillisch or Brent Crews, because I grew up watching them karting. They coached me when I started karting, and now I get to see them become successful in NASCAR. They have given me great advice for moving on in racing.
4. You won a National Championship in Go-Karts, what has been the biggest difference between Karts and the Legend Car?
The weight transfer in Legend Cars is a lot different. Karts don’t have suspension, so when I first got in a Legend Car it felt different, but I’ve gotten used to it. The gearing too, I don’t shift much in karts, and the sequential was new to me, but it’s been fun.
5. What is your favorite racing memory?
My first win in the Legend Car, because we were doing well at the Summer Shootout, and it was a big learning process for me. MPM has been good to us and have made good cars for us.
6. Your Dad is a former Crew Chief in Nascar, as a driver what is it like having someone at the highest level teach and help you to grow into a better driver?
He has been very serious and hard on me, which he should be. He makes sure to push me to my limits and do the best I can on and off the track.
7. The Cook Out Summer Shootout is about to start this summer, what are your expectations for competing in it? How do you feel about making the jump into the Young Lions division this year?
I think it’s going to be different because last year in the stands, I saw it can be pretty aggressive, so my mindset going in is to be aggressive and not get pushed around. I am excited to get back to Charlotte Motor Speedway.
8. What is your favorite track?
The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course that we did at Winter Heat. It was different, and really fast. I enjoyed being on a road course because I don’t do them a lot. I had a good challenge against Peyton Worm and Marcus Wolfe, because they were really fast that weekend. Towards the end I had a great battle with Theo Salomao. It was a good learning experience because we got second and I learned a lot and had a great time.
9. What are your racing goals for 2026?
I want to get some consistent finishes in the Young Lions class. Maybe a win and some top fives I would be pretty happy with. Just learn a lot this year and go into next year confident.
10. If you could race at any track in the world, what would it be?
Le Mans because that track looks really fun, and I had a chance to see the track and be there for the G56 car. I am really like the road courses, so if I had that opportunity, it would be awesome.
11. What's the biggest lesson that racing has taught you in life?
Don’t give up, keep trying, and learn.
12. What are some of your hobbies outside of racing?
I like to play basketball; I enjoy hockey and skating a lot too. I also drive my dirt bike a lot too.