Kraus Charges To 4th-Place Finish At Daytona
• Top Finishing Rookie In NASCAR Truck Series Season Opener
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2020) – Derek Kraus charged to a fourth-place finish as the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series kicked off its 2020 season under the lights with the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.
The 18-year-old from Stratford, Wisconsin managed to avoid a big wreck late in the event by choosing to hang back in the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing No. 19 Shockwave Toyota Tundra.
On the restart after the “big one” took place, Kraus weaved his way forward in a two-lap dash to the finish in overtime to grab fourth place in his first visit to the 2.5-mile superspeedway and take the honors as the top finishing rookie.
Kraus had qualified 16th and made an early move into the top 10, but slowed with a vibration and had to pit on Lap 10. He quickly got back on the lead lap, then was later penalized for “exiting too fast” during a pit stop at the end of Stage 2. He restarted in 29th on Lap 57.
Kraus was up to 13th by Lap 70, but opted to hold back out of the lead pack as the laps wound down. The move paid off as he was able to avoid a multi-vehicle pileup on Lap 99 and restart the race from the fourth spot in overtime.
Derek Kraus – Thoughts about Daytona
Talking about finishing fourth in his first race at Daytona International Speedway
“It feels really good to finish fourth. We’re really excited to start the season off on a strong note.”
About the strategy to hang back
“We were intentionally hanging back during the race, just to wait until they wrecked. Then I was able to race hard in that green-white-checkered finish. It’s a really great way to start the season and I’m pumped.”
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Event:
Race: NextEra Energy 250 (100 Laps) (Race 1 of 23) Feb. 14, 2020
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida (2.5-mile oval)
Format: Three Stages; Lap 20 / Lap 40 / Lap 100
Derek Kraus
No. 19 Shockwave Toyota Tundra
Age: 18
Hometown: Stratford, Wisc.
Practice: 4th
Qualified: 16th
Stage 1: 21st
Stage 2: 20th
Finished: 4th (Running, completed 106 of 106 laps)
Race Winner: Grant Enfinger
Next Race:
Strat 200, Feb. 21, 2020, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev. (1.5-mile oval)