Kaulig Racing will field 22-year-old Derek Kraus in multiple NASCAR Cup Series races this season.
Kraus will make his series debut in the No. 16 Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend (March 3). Western States Flooring will be the team’s primary sponsor. Kraus has limited experience in the Next Gen car, having practiced and qualified for the team at Richmond Raceway last season for AJ Allmendinger, who was competing in the Xfinity Series race at Road America.
Kraus made eight starts for the organization in the Xfinity Series last year. He has not had a full-time NASCAR national series ride since 2022 when he was in the Craftsman Truck Series but has been a simulator driver and part-time competitor for Kaulig Racing since then.
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“I’m really excited to make my first Cup Series start with Kaulig Racin, the team that I also made my Xfinity Series debut with,” Kraus said. “I’m thankful to Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice for believing in me, as well as Western States Flooring, a partner that has supported me throughout my career. I can’t wait to get to work with Travis Mack’s group and see what we can do in Las Vegas.”
The additional Cup Series races Kraus will compete in are Phoenix Raceway (March 10), Kansas Speedway (May 5), Darlington Raceway (May 12), St. Louis (June 2), and Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 10).
“We’re excited to have Derek Kraus make his first Cup start with us at Kaulig Racing,” said team president Chris Rice. “Not only did he practice in the No. 16 last year for AJ Allmendinger, but Derek is our simulator driver that helps get our setups ready each week. We know what Derek is capable of, and we can’t wait to see what he can do starting in Las Vegas.”