For Hub City Times  

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Derek Kraus drove the Bill McAnally Racing No. 16 to a top-10 finish in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East competition at Watkins Glen International on Friday, while making his first start at the 2.45-mile New York road course.

The 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver finished ninth in the Great Outdoors RV Superstore 100 at The Glen, as the race was cut short due to weather conditions that moved into the region.

Although he qualified sixth, Kraus had to drop to the back of the field for the start, due to repairs for a mechanical issue. He charged toward the front in the early laps and was up to ninth by Lap 5. He struggled to gain ground through the rest of the race, however, due to handling issues and a lack of grip.

Kraus, of Stratford, is now third in the K&N East championship standings, 12 points out of first. He has two wins, five top-five, and eight top-10 finishes in eight series starts.

He leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship standings, meanwhile, with a 16-point advantage over his BMR teammate Hailie Deegan.

The Watkins Glen race, won by Max McLaughlin, will be televised on NBCSN on Aug. 7.

The next event on the K&N Pro Series East schedule will be the Bush’s Beans 150 at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 15.