For Hub City Times

ROSEVILLE, CA – Derek Kraus is set to take a major step in the progression of his racing career, beginning his first full season of competition in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series with the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14.

 The 18-year-old from Stratford, Wisconsin will be behind the wheel of the No. 19 Shockwave Toyota Tundra for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, competing for his first time at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

 Although Kraus is with a new team this season, he will be surrounded with many familiar faces – who had a hand in helping him win the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship last year. McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, formed to field the truck entry on a full-time basis this season, is an offshoot of Bill McAnally Racing – where Kraus called home the past three years.

 In addition to team owner Bill McAnally, key members of the BMR team that worked with Kraus are involved with the truck team. Heading that effort is Kevin Bellicourt, the general manager at BMR; who also serves as the crew chief on the truck.

“I’m really looking forward to Daytona. It has so much history behind it and the track is so unique,” Kraus said. “There is so much involved with the drafting and everything that goes on during a race there. We are looking for a good finish, to start the year off on a high note.”

The race will be televised on FS1.