Derek Kraus Returns to Wisconsin for Super Late Model Crown Jewel
(Slinger, WI) Derek Kraus will return to racing in his home state, Tuesday night, July 9, battling for victory in the 40th annual SUPERSEAL Slinger Nationals presented by Miller Lite.
The 17-year-old Stratford, Wisconsin native currently leads both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West championship point standings and has posted five wins between the two-touring series.
“The Slinger Nationals is one of, if not the biggest, short track races in the state,” said Kraus. “It’s a lot of fun to come home and race a super late model, I’d like to do it every chance that I can.”
Derek Kraus has spent the last three seasons campaigning full-time on the NASCAR West Series while running a limited schedule on the East Series. In 2017, at the age of 15, he scored one West Series win and notched Rookie-of-the-Year honors. So far this season, the schedule has lined up such that Kraus has been able to make all of the East and West Series events. He opened 2019 on the East Series with a dominating win at New Smyrna Beach, Florida after starting 16th. Last week Kraus won the West Series event at Roseburg, Oregon, leading all 150 circuits. In all, Kraus has raced his K&N ride in eight different states, in 2019.
The West Series has helped to launch the careers of Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan and Todd Gilliland while the East Series touts Kyle Larson, Martin Truex, Jr, Joey Logano and Harrison Burton as notable alumni.
“It’s good to race close to home, as Slinger is only a couple hours from our house,” said Kraus. “But on the other hand, that race is so tough to make, it’s a huge challenge for me.”
The list of previous Nationals winners includes former and current NASCAR standouts, Alan Kulwicki; Mark Martin; Dick Trickle (4 wins); Rich Bickle, Jr (4 wins); Matt Kenseth (7 wins) and Kyle Busch. The last two years, barnstorming national super late model standouts, Ty Majeski and Bubba Pollard have captured the Slinger Nationals top laurels. Matt Kenseth; Bickle, Jr; Majeski and Pollard have all committed to competing in the 2019 Nationals event.
Advanced sale tickets for the 40th annual Slinger Nationals are available, now, at the speedway office or by visiting www.slingersuperspeedway.com. Tickets are also available for a VIP Meet and Greet Autograph session featuring Kenseth; NASCAR Cup Series rookie Daniel Hemric; former NASCAR Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter and other top drivers, the night of the Slinger Nationals.
Late models will also compete in a full race program on July 9. A Wednesday night, July 10 rain date has been established.
Slinger Speedway is located off of Highways 41 and 144 at 280 Cedar Creek Road in Slinger, WI. For more information on upcoming events visit our web site at www.slingersuperspeedway.com or call the track office at 262-644-5921.
There are select advertising and sponsorship opportunities as well as company and group outings available for the 2019 season. For more information, contact the speedway’s PR and Marketing at: 262-370-0440, slingerspeedway1@aol.com, or visit our web site at: www.slingersuperspeedway.com.