Kraus Scores Fourth Straight Top – 10 Finish at Martinsville

Derek Kraus, the ENEOS-sponsored rookie driver of the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing #19 Shockwave / ENEOS Toyota Tundra, battled back at the NASCAR Hall of Fame 200 on the historic Martinsville Speedway oval this weekend. His determination resulted in 10th place and his fourth straight top ten finish.

Starting 11th on the grid of the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoor Truck Series, Kraus quickly gained several spots, working his way through the field. However, he slipped back after battling a loose handling truck, placing him 23rd at the end of the first stage on lap 50. After a pit stop he worked his way into position for the free pass when a caution came out on lap 90.

He was 16th when the second stage concluded on lap 100, and never let up charging his way forward, even while avoiding much of the tight short-track bumping that led to 11 cautions for the event. Kraus was up to 10th under caution with less than 20 laps remaining, and although he gained a few spots on the restart, he was shuffled back to 10th with two laps to go in the final restart.

“I had to stay patient the whole race,” Kraus said. “We had to claw our way back to the front — definitely one of my toughest finishes.”

Kraus has three top five and 13 top ten finishes in 22 starts in his freshman year in the series.

NEXT RACE

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing heads to the Lucas Oil 150 on November 6, 2020 at Phoenix International Raceway.