(NEWPORT, TENNESSEE) – Being in two places at once is hard enough, but Derek Kraus made the most of it after he started on the tail in the Food Country USA 300 at Newport Speedway and picked up the victory.
The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS Tour part-time driver started on the rear after missing qualifying due to his NASCAR obligations for the Coke 600. He flew to Newport and took the lead on lap 272 to win his first ASA STARS National Tour event.
Before the race Kraus had finished third at Wisconsin International Raceway in 2023 marking his best finish before tonight.
Finishing in second was Stephen Nasse who got a much-needed rebound after a disappointment at Hickory. Nasse charged from 12th to post the runner-up finish. In third was Dawson Sutton who led over 200 laps in the series’ first visit to Newport.
Carson Brown and Austin Nason rounded out the top five. Brown was the only driver who finished in the top five in both the Newport and Hickory events this weekend. Brown also womn the CorvetteParts.net Pole Award with a lap of 12.638.
Series point leader Cole Butcher was leading shortly after lap 200 and was on his way to another victory. However, a broken axle under caution put the 28 off the lead lap and he never recovered. He did keep up his streak of having led in all five races this season.
Kraus has run 555 laps this week in his Super Late Model after the Food Country USA 300. He will look to add 400 more laps on Sunday in his first Coke 600 start.
The ASA STARS National Tour will be back in action with another doubleheader on Friday, June 13th in the El Bandido Yankee Tequila Capital 250 presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch at Madison International Speedway (WI). The El Bandido Yankee Tequila 300 presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch will commence on Sunday, June 15th at Slinger Speedway (WI).
Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour
Founded by Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent, The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour for pavement Super Late Model stock cars debuted in March 2023.
The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour is a twelve-race championship series, offering a $100,000 point fund. The tour will visit 12 different racetracks in 8 states in 2025, with the season beginning in February during Florida Speedweeks and concluding in early November at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
For those unable to attend an event, live coverage of each of the 12 events can be found on Track TV in addition to each event being re-broadcast on MavTV.
Track Enterprises (TE) is a racing Promotions Company based in Illinois, which owns and operates the ASA STARS National Tour. In addition to the Appalachian Sucker Punch STARS National Tour, Track Enterprises owns and operates Championship Racing Association (CRA) and the ASA Midwest Tour. TE also has a strategic alliance with the ASA Southern Super Series.
ASA Branded Tours
ASA Branded Tours encompasses four (4) pavement super late model racing series operating under the Track Enterprises banner, and under the ASA Brand via a licensing agreement for logo and IP Rights. ASA Branded Tours include the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour; the ASA CRA Super Series; The ASA Midwest Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series.
Track TV
Track TV is the official streaming partner of the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series, CRA Super Series, CRA JEGS All Star Tour, CRA Street Stocks, CRA Late Model Sportsman, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Big 8 Late Model Series and Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway plus more! Subscribe today at tracktv.com
