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Kraus grabs stunning overall Sonoma victory in TA West debut

Images by Seth DeDoes


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By: Trans Am | June 16, 2019 7:14 PM


Derek Kraus is only 17 but he has more racing experience than many drivers twice his age, and his experience paid huge dividends at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday in Round 4 of the Trans Am Presented by Pirelli West Championship Series.

Currently leading both East and West NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Kraus was making his Trans Am debut in the No. 11 Shockwave Marine Suspension Seating Chevrolet Camaro handed over to him for qualifying by team owner David Smith after his No. 5 lost an engine just before qualifying.

Kraus rewarded Smith and the Shockwave team by qualifying on the TA2 Powered by AEM pole on Saturday, then seizing the TA2 class lead on Lap 7 of 38 laps around the challenging Sonoma course Sunday afternoon and never relinquishing.

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Due to technical issues affecting timing and scoring throughout the weekend, Kraus’ laps in the lead never showed up on LiveTiming and Race-Monitor scoring apps, but there was no mistaking the Stratford, Wisconsin high school student’s confident victory.

Kraus was jumped on both the start and a Lap 4 restart (following a full-course yellow) by third qualifier Anthony Honeywell (No. 76 Honeywell Competition/TFB Performance Camaro), but managed to find a way past the West series TA2 points leader within two laps on both occasions.

TA2 field three-wide into Turn 1 as Honeywell (No. 76) makes a spectacular getaway.