Kaulig Racing announces limited Cup Series schedule for Derek Kraus

For the first time in his career, Derek Kraus is going to get a chance at the NASCAR Cup Series. He will suit up for Kaulig Racing. The group of drivers making up the No. 16 car is going to give Kaulig a lot of options this year.

Between AJ Allmendinger, Josh Williams, Shane van Gisbergen, and now Derek Kraus, Kaulig has built a nice group for that “All-Star” car. Kraus is getting a big opportunity here to really advance his career.

Still just 22 years old, Kraus could be a driver of the future for Kaulig Racing. In eight races last season for Kaulig in the Xfinity Series, Kraus earned three top-10s as well as two additional top-12 finishes.

Kaulig Racing will have Kraus in the No. 16 car starting at Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. He will also race at Phoenix, Kansas, Darlington, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Phoenix season finale.

.@derek9kraus' full six race #CupSeries schedule:

– @LVMotorSpeedway – March 3
– @phoenixraceway – March 10
– @kansasspeedway – May 5
– @TooToughToTame – May 12
– @WWTRaceway – June 2
– @phoenixraceway – November 10 #NASCAR | #TrophyHunting https://t.co/eSO0uLnt8R

— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) February 22, 2024

Kraus hasn’t won much since his ARCA East and West days. He was the West champion back in 2019. There is a ton of promise there with the driver, and Kaulig has been willing to give him a shot in the last two seasons.

I think that this is going to be valuable experience for Kraus. However, I’m not sure if we should expect much from him outside of finishing the race with a clean car. If he can do that, then his time in the No. 16 car will be successful.

Derek Kraus gets the call from Kaulig

This is an interesting time for Kaulig Racing. They have clearly put a lot more focus on their Xfinity Series program this season. Josh Williams and AJ Allmendinger are going to be full-time along with Shane van Gisbergen. There should be more than a few wins for Kaulig in 2024.

However, looking at the Cup Series, they are hoping to get through this year and perhaps find a long-term replacement for the future. They are more or less putting their Xfinity Series roster in their Cup Series car, as well as the full-time entry for Daniel Hemric.

Derek Kraus is talented, he’s young, and he should find his way into a full-time ride at some point. I’m not sure if that is Xfinity or Cup, but he has the talent to be in NASCAR.

Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice are after one thing and one thing only, wins. If they win races, they know that they can improve their team and keep chasing more wins. If that is with Allmendinger, SVG, Williams, or Kraus – doesn’t matter. Trophy Hunting Season is in full effect.