Derek Kraus, a second-year driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, is expected to return to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for a third full-time season in 2022, a representative from the organization confirmed to TobyChristie.com on Thursday.
The 20-year-old’s expected return to the organization continues a long-standing relationship with team co-owner Bill McAnally, who Kraus has driven for in some capacity for a half-decade, capturing the 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship in 2019, before moving to the NASCAR Truck Series full-time in 2020.
“Derek [Kraus] is expected to be back next year,” a McAnally-Hilgemann Racing told TobyChristie.com. “The team has been working on that. It will be announced when all the details are finalized.”
Bill McAnally – the team’s co-owner — reported the same to Davey Segal, host of the Victory Lane Podcast, just after the official announcement that the organization has tapped Colby Howard to pilot a second entry for the team in 2022.
Checked in with team owner Bill McAnally and @derek9kraus is expected to be back for next year. Team "has been working on that" and "will announce when finalized."
Along with their multi-car ARCA organization, BMR/MHR is now expanding their #NASCAR footprint. pic.twitter.com/PEbglVAThg
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) September 9, 2021
In his two seasons in the NASCAR Truck Series, the Stratford, Wisconsin-native has missed out on the series’ playoffs each season, despite a stark difference in results. In his rookie season (2020), Kraus was able to notch three top-five and 13 top-10 finishes, finishing 11th in points.
However, things haven’t been as picture perfect for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing this season, replacing Matt Noyce as crew chief five races into the season, while also finding themselves in the middle on numerous on-track incidents, some of which have left Kraus’ competitors less than pleased.
