For Hub City Times

SONOMA, CA – Derek Kraus’ day was plagued by issues, as he competed in the Procore 200 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West event at Sonoma Raceway on June 22.

Kraus, also a 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver from Stratford, started seventh in the No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry.

He was battling to get into the top five, when he coasted to the pits with fuel pump issues on Lap 18. He returned to competition three laps down and spent much of the remaining race working to get back on the lead lap, only to get caught up in an incident and sent off course on the final circuit.

Kraus finished 19th.

Despite his misfortune, Kraus was able to hold onto the lead in the championship standings. He and his BMR teammate, Hailie Deegan, remain 1-2 in points – separated by just one marker. Kraus has two wins, three top-five, and five top-10 finishes in six starts this year.

The Sonoma race, won by Noah Gragson, will be televised to a national audience on NBCSN on June 27.

 The next event on the K&N West schedule will be the Clint Newell Auto Group/Toyota 150 at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, OR, on June 29.