Saturday, May 1, 2021

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS AT Kansas: Race Preview

UPDATE: By Nascarvd Nascarvédé 

But what bad luck this year for Derek Kraus. Everything had started well. Starting the race in 14th, he finished the 1st stage in 9th position (2 points). Then a good pit stop allowed him to start the 2nd stage in 8th position. A little loose at the restart and he lost 3 positions but came back quickly to seize the 7th position (4 more points!). 

 

Another very good pit stop allowed him to keep this 7th position for the restart of the last stage. But Johnny Sauter was pushing him in turn 1, almost in spin.. From that moment on Derek lost position after position. Descended to 22nd position. He would go up to 3rd position thanks to the pit stops of the leaders. While waiting for a yellow flag which will not come .... At least at the right time. 

 

After his last pit stop on the 113th lap, he found himself 26th.. One lap behind the leaders. He was going to scavenge a few positions to came up 18th. But during the restart after the 4th caution, Stewart Friesen started spinning and cut off the way of Derek who could not avoid him because he was stuck by Tyler Ankrum on the inside line. Mass was said. Despite a passage to the pits to repair, the right front being badly damaged, Derek will be classified 28th ... Really no luck ... Especially on this oval where he's so fast. Direction Darlington now where he finished 2nd last year. Provided that bad luck finally leaves him alone.

 

By: Nascarvd Nascarvédé

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS AT Kansas: Race Preview May 1, 2021 “Wise Power 200”
(Stages 30/60/134 laps = 201 miles) 

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS AT Kansas: Race Preview

 

Kansas Speedway, Derek loves it and this is confirmed by his excellent results on this 1.5 mile oval. In fact, last year in July as a rookie when he was discovering the track, he obtained an excellent 5th position. And the next day he finished 7th in this doubleheader. 

 

When the NCWTS returned to Kansas during the playoffs, he obtained his 3rd consecutive top10 on this track with a 9th position. In addition, he also scored points in 4 of the 6 stages. Which makes Kansas the best track statistically where Derek has participated in more than one race. 

 



Bodes well for this Saturday, especially as he will start the race from 14th position. It will also be the 2nd race with its new crew chief Mark Hillman. At Richmond without that left-rear puncture, he would have gotten at least a top10. His race was excellent despite a distant starting position. 

 

This Saturday will also be the occasion to see a new main sponsor on the #19 Toyota Tundra of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing with Kafka Granite. This sponsor is not unknown to Derek as he has already been an associate sponsor this year in Bristol and Richmond. 

 

 Kakfa Granite LLC is a leading producer of Specialty Aggregate and Landscape Stone materials since 1979. It is therefore a mining company based in Mosinee, Wisconsin. No wonder it pairs with another form of stone, the diamond that is Derek!😃 

 

Let's hope that bad luck finally leaves Derek alone this year. You really have to get a good result. It would be welcome to boost confidence. GO Derek GO !! 

 

Power Wise 200 - #NASCAR Trucks

Entry list, starting lineup and much more here: www.racing-reference.info/race/2021-07/C 

 

Race live this Saturday on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. ET

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