Kaukauna, WI- He had just turned 15, three days later Derek Kraus became the youngest winner in ARCA Midwest Tour history, winning at Dells (WI) Raceway Park. That was 2016. Fast forward to today, Kraus from Stratford, WI comes into Tuesday night’s event at Wisconsin International Raceway on a hot streak, but now as a Rookie in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series. Back to back finishes of 7th and 5th last weekend at Kentucky Motor Speedway have the 18 year old driver sitting 9th in the National point standings. He will join the ‘Stars and Cars’ of the ARCA Midwest Tour as well as top Super Late Model drivers from across the region and nation in the Gandrud Auto Group 250.
Driving for car owner Bill McAnally, Kraus headed West at the start of the 2017 season and was named NASCAR K&N West Rookie of the Year with his first career win coming at Kern County (CA) Raceway Park. His sophomore season saw Derek win a series high four times in K&N West racing, he also added his first K&N East win at Gateway (IL) during the 2018 season. 2019 is when it all came together for Kraus, at one time leading both the East and West Standings after early wins in the East at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway and in the West at Tucson (AZ) Raceway Park. All told he recorded two East wins and five West wins (including a win at Meridian, Idaho) on his way to the NASCAR West Championship. With two top tens in five NASCAR Truck stars, it was announced just before Daytona that Kraus would run for the Rookie title in the national NASCAR tour.
Advance discount tickets for the Gandrud Auto Group 250 are $20 and can be purchased online at www.midwesttour.racing through August 3. Tickets will also be available on race day at the gate for $25. Spectator gates open at 4pm, qualifying will begin at 5pm with the first race at 7pm during the Tuesday Night August 4 Special Event at Wisconsin International Raceway.
A 28 car field is scheduled to start ‘Wisconsin’s Richest One Day Race’ which pays $10,000 to the winner of the 250 lap event and $1,200 to start. Drivers from ten states and Canada are expected to attempt to make the starting grid including NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Busch. The Midwest Truck Series will join the ARCA Midwest Tour with the trucks contesting a 35 lap feature event.
