Derek Kraus Claims First ASA STARS National Tour Win in Newport Debut

What originally appeared to be a mistake proved to be the move of the night for Derek Kraus.

Kraus scored his first career Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour victory on Saturday night, winning the series' inaugural visit to Newport Speedway.

The Wisconsin driver, on the eve of appearing in the Coca-Cola 600 for NY Racing Team, passed Dawson Sutton on lap 272 of the 300-lap Super Late Model contest, leading the rest of the way to take the checkered flag ahead of Stephen Nasse.

Kraus had the advantage of fresher tires at the end of the Food Country USA 300, but that benefit was not part of the plan for his family team. When the caution flew on lap 177 for Gavan Boschele spinning after contact with Cole Butcher, most of the field took that opportunity to pit for fresh tires and fuel to get to the end of the race.

However, a miscommunication led to Kraus staying out, briefly giving him the lead before his older tires quickly dropped him down the running order before the stage break at lap 200. That stage break allowed Kraus to pit for his fresh tires and drive through the field.

The complexion for Kraus and the rest of the field changed again on lap 265, with an unfortunately familiar sight for Butcher. Just like on Thursday night at Hickory Motor Speedway, Butcher rushed to pit road under caution with an axle issue, giving away the lead position.

This promoted Sutton to the lead and Kraus to second. Shortly after the restart, Kraus took the lead from Sutton and never looked back.

"I just knew I had some really good tires left, where everybody else had 25, 30 lap tires left," said Kraus in victory lane. "This is awesome. We're a little team. We're not supposed to do this. We beat some of the best drivers and best teams in the country.

"I can't thank my team, my dad, he does all the work on this thing. My uncle Greg, Cam everybody, my mom, my grandma and grandpa. It means a lot. We'll go on to tomorrow."

For the former ARCA Menards Series West champion, Saturday's win is also a massive, and much-needed, confidence boost.

"We're competing against the best drivers and teams in the country with Wilson and Campi," said Kraus. "To beat them, people like Nasse, that's bad ass. What an amazing night.

"Momentum, confidence. I started not to believe, to be honest with you, but now I know I can do it. We'll carry this momentum through the rest of the year, go on to Madison and Slinger."

Stephen Nasse finished second, earning his third top-five finish and his first podium finish of the 2025 ASA STARS National Tour season. Just as much as a good finish, Nasse thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Newport Speedway.

"Me and my team, we just didn't give up," said Nasse. "We didn't have the best race car all day, but we kept fighting. This was the most fun I've had at a racetrack in a little while. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back here. The outside lane was so much fun to run.

"Hats off to the guys on the 9 team. They had a really good car. I appreciate Dawson for running me clean there at the end. We just needed a little bit more, but we'll keep working at it."

Like Nasse, Sutton echoed the enjoyment of racing at Newport after his third-place finish, wrapping up a busy weekend. Sutton competed in both ASA STARS National Tour events this weekend, as well as Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"It was a really good weekend, overall. My team brought me a really good car and I really couldn't ask for anything more. We led a lot of laps. That was probably the funnest race I've ever ran. I can't wait to come back here. I'm thankful for all the fans coming out. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend."

Carson Brown finished fourth, while Austin Nason rounded out the top five. Colby Howard, Matt Craig, Chase Pinsonneault, Bubba Pollard and Kyle Steckly completed the top 10.

During the cool-down lap, Boschele and Butcher made contact, which led to a heated confrontation in the pit area between the Wilson Motorsports teammates and their respective crews.

Another doubleheader weekend awaits the ASA STARS National Tour in the middle of June, this time in the state of Wisconsin. The series will visit Madison International Speedway on Friday, June 13 before going to Slinger Super Speedway on Sunday, June 15.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy

Food Country USA 300 Unofficial Results