Derek Kraus to Pilot Young’s Motorsports Entry at Daytona
Young’s Motorsports confirmed today that NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series veteran Derek Kraus will join the team for the season opener next month at Daytona (Florida) International Speedway.
Kraus will drive the team’s No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado RST with support from Jacksonville, Florida-based Hardscape Construction.
His relationship with the team is currently a one-run deal with a vision to increase his 2023 schedule with the team.
Kraus’ seasoned partners, Shockwave Seats and Kafka Granite, join Hardscape Construction.
Kraus, 21, will be the organization’s second announced driver for the February 17 NextEra Energy Resources 250, joining previously announced driver Spencer Boyd.
“I’m very excited to join Young’s Motorsports for Daytona,” said Kraus. “Over the years Young’s Motorsports has shown on the superspeedways that they build very fast Chevrolet Silverados and I’m thrilled to be able to drive one of them next month at Daytona.
“Young’s Motorsports has had two wins at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, but I would really like the opportunity to not only win my first Truck Series win, but the teams at a historic location like Daytona.”
Kraus, originally from Stratford, Wisc. has 73 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to his resume, including four top fives and 24 top 10s, including a career-best second-place finish at Darlington (SC) Raceway in 2020.
He is also a veteran of the ARCA Menards Series West where he has 10 wins, 29 top fives and 35 top 10s, including the 2019 Series Drivers Championship.
Prior to moving to Young’s Motorsports, Kraus spent the last three Truck Series seasons driving the #19 Chevrolet Silverado RST for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.
“I am so excited to welcome Derek to the Young’s Motorsports family,” said Young’s Motorsports Team Principal Tyler Young. “I’ve seen Derek flourish over the past three Truck Series seasons and now for him to race for us rather than racing against him is a real blessing.
“With Derek’s ability and skill behind the wheel, I know we are in good hands.”
“There is a lot of passion, focus and drive that can be felt not just in the Race Shop, but all around the Young’s Motorsports campus. We have proven ourselves to be the winners of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and we We’re determined to get back to Victory Lane and it would be incredibly special to pull that off in the season opener at Daytona.
“I can’t wait to see what our team can accomplish not just next month at Daytona, but throughout the 2023 season.”
To learn more about Young’s Motorsports, visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports) and follow them on Instagram (youngsmotorsports) and Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).
To learn more about Derek Kraus, please visit like him on Facebook (Derek Kraus Racing) and follow on Instagram (@derek9kraus) and Twitter (@derek9kraus).
The NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps | 250 miles) is the first of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2023 calendar. the race Friday, Feb. 17 starting at 3:00 p.m. The field will pass the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.
RP Young’s Motorsports