Derek Kraus Secures Podium at NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race at Irwindale Speedway

It was a successful weekend for ENEOS and Bill McAnnally Racing at the NAPA / ENEOS 150 at Irwindale Speedway on Saturday. A sell-out crowd witnessed a thrilling race in which ENEOS driver Derek Kraus in the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry finished in third place and teammate Brittney Zamora claimed eighth in the #99 ENEOS / NAPA Filters Toyota Camry.

Kraus was second quickest in qualifying earlier in the day, with Zamora placing 11th. At the start of the race, Kraus jumped into the early lead and paced the field for the first 25 laps. He then appeared content to slip back a few spots in the first half of the race, but charged from third to first on the restart following the midway break.

Kraus seemed destined for victory, but came up short with brake issues just seven laps from the finish. “We ran out of brakes while leading,” said the 17 year-old driver from Stratford, WI.

Despite the disappointment, Kraus remained upbeat about the event and leading the most laps. “It was definitely a fun night,” he said. “We had a really good NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Kraus watched from third as Trevor Huddleston edged Tanner Gray in a thrilling side-by-side finish.

Zamora made a quick charge to fifth from the start of the race and would finish in a strong eighth place. The 19 year-old series rookie from Kennewick, WA sits eighth in the series points standings, while Kraus is fourth.

Guests in attendance at Saturday’s race included NAPA store owners and guests from ENEOS. This was the first NASCAR K&N Pro Series race in which ENEOS was involved as a sponsor of the race and BMR drivers.

The Irwindale race will be televised to a national audience on NBCSN on April 8 at 5pm PT.

The next event on the K&N Pro Series West schedule will be the Port of Tucson twin races at Arizona’s Tucson Speedway on May 11.