The very first race Derek Kraus ever attending was a Midwest Tour Race at Elko Speedway in Minnesota. He was there to watch his Dad Mark compete in the family’s familiar black #9 Super Late Model. This Father’s Day at ‘America’s Legendary Oval’ The Milwaukee Mile, Derek and Mark will race against one another for the first time ever.
Mark hung up his helmet following the 2015 season to put all efforts into his son’s career. That career really took off as Derek became the youngest winner in the Midwest Tour after he topped the ‘Stars and Cars’ at Dells Raceway Park in 2016. Since then he has gone on to become the NASCAR K&N West Rookie of the Year, he walked across the stage in Charlotte as the K&N West Champion a year later and is now a full time competitor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where his is currently ranked fifteenth in the point standings.
“Derek grew up watching me race and times have changed. Now I’m watching him race all over the country which is neat in itself but for us to come back together and race at The Milwaukee Mile in a Midwest Tour race and compete against each other for the first time will be great. It will be good for him to be watching me again on the race track and through the front windshield.” Joked the elder Kraus. “What a great way to spend Father’s Day.” Mark Kraus was a longtime front runner in the former NASCAR Midwest Elite Series where he logged 77 starts and later went on to start 54 Midwest Tour feature events.
Joining the ARCA Midwest Tour will be the Midwest Truck Series, Mid-American Stock Car Series and Upper Midwest Vintage Series. Grandstands and ticket offices will open at 9am on Sunday, June 20th, Practice for divisions will begin at 9:30am, Qualifying is slated for 11am, racing will begin at 1pm. Fans can enter at gates 4 and 5 to purchase tickets and park, Will Call will be at the expo center ticket office by gate 4. The Milwaukee Mile is located in West Allis, WI at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. For tickets and additional information visit www.trackenterprises.com
