Derek Kraus has impressed mightily in a part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with Kaulig Racing in the team’s No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro. The 22-year-old will officially return to the seat for the organization this weekend in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway.
The team made an announcement in the form of a post on X, formerly Twitter, prior to NASCAR releasing the weekend’s preliminary entry lists on Tuesday morning.
We’re excited to have @derek9kraus return to our Xfinity program this weekend at @kansasspeedway! ?#KansasLottery300 | #TrophyHunting pic.twitter.com/fTGuPlkCuq
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) September 5, 2023
On Wednesday, the team announced that they will move full-time driver Daniel Hemric from the No. 11 entry to the team’s No. 10 entry for the remainder of the season. Kraus, as a result, will run the No. 11 this weekend.
Kraus, who hails from Stratford, Wisconsin, has two top-10 finishes in four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts this year, and he is sporting an average finish of 16.3.
Kraus’ high point of the 2023 season was an eighth-place effort for Kaulig Racing at Martinsville Speedway back in April.
Prior to this season, Kraus had never made a start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which is what makes his solid start all the more impressive. This weekend, Kraus will have primary sponsorship from Hardscrape Construction Inc. on the No. 11 ride.
In addition to his four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Kraus has made two starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2023. Kraus scored his best finish of eighth in the NASCAR Truck Series while running the No. 7 entry for Spire Motorsports at The Milwaukee Mile a few weeks ago.
Overall, Kraus has 75 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he has collected four top-five finishes and 27 top-10s. Kraus has recorded four pole positions in NASCAR Truck competition.
