What do you expect from Derek Kraus in his NASCAR Cup Series debut?
Luken Glover: This year looks different for Kaulig Racing’s Cup program, and there are still a lot of questions to be answered. While AJ Allmendinger got a top 10 for the team at Daytona International Speedway in the first race of his part-time stint and Daniel Hemric earned a pair of top-20 finishes, it is a common belief across the garage that the season really gets going this week. The superspeedways can tell us a little about who will be strong, but tracks like Las Vegas Motor Speedway will help give a much larger picture. For Derek Kraus, he needs to have a clean day and log as many laps as possible. Josh Williams‘ day at Atlanta Motor Speedway lasted two laps, something that cannot be repeated this week. For Kraus, I don’t expect a lights-out performance, but a top 25 or top 30 would meet expectations.
Austin Bass: Kraus has earned a reputation as a driver who gets in over his head frequently. His NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career has been riddled with mistakes and crashes, though showing glimpses of his pure talent and speed on occasion, as well as in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in limited attempts. Kaulig at the Cup level fits the same mold as Kraus, having competitive speed sporadically, but often running into problems that mar their performances. Barring an unusual amount of attrition at LVMS, Kraus and Kaulig will struggle to run 25th and stay on the lead lap.
Josh Calloni: He’ll endure some growing pains. He’s only run eight Xfinity races in his career, and has never found victory lane anywhere above the ARCA Menards Series ranks. Further, he’s only been in a Cup car once, last year in practice and qualifying at Richmond Raceway. He’s talented enough to come into his own eventually, but his debut at Las Vegas this weekend should have low expectations.
Mark Kristl: Kraus’ average finish in his Xfinity and Truck starts is about 16th, which is mid-pack for those series. However, the Cup field is much stronger and Kaulig has struggled to start this Cup season. Frankly, I doubt whether Kraus will finish higher than 30th. Other than JJ Yeley in an open entry for NY Racing Team, I don’t know which entries Kraus’ No. 16 is better than as Rick Ware Racing has upped its performance. Moreover, Kraus hasn’t excelled in any NASCAR series with zero wins and four top fives in his 84 total starts. He’s in for a long day in Vegas.
Justin…
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