The recently-revived Newport Speedway saw one of its biggest races of 2025 Saturday, playing host to the ASA STARS National Tour. And for the second time in three days, the Super Late Model (SLM) series provided race fans with a plethora of events and storylines.
From a surprise winner to dissent amongst teammates, here are a few notable takeaways from the ASA STARS’ Food Country USA 300 at Newport Speedway.
Derek Kraus Scores a Big Win on the Biggest Race Weekend of His Career
For Derek Kraus, a victory in the ASA STARS National Tour seemed like a tall task. After all, it would have been easy to count him out of the conversation, considering that his last SLM win came almost a decade ago in 2016.
But that narrative changed in a hurry on Saturday. Kraus didn’t just score a victory on the biggest stage of SLM competition – he did so in rather exciting fashion. Having to start from the rear of the field, the Wisconsin native gradually propelled himself to the front of the pack over the course of the event.
Oddly enough, the reason Kraus was forced to start from the rear was indicative of a much bigger feat that the 23-year-old has achieved this weekend.
Kraus qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series crown jewel race known as the Coca-Cola 600 on Saturday. Due to the logistical hurdles that provided, he was unable to post a qualifying lap at Newport, starting from the rear by virtue of the rulebook.
There were concerns that Kraus might not make it to the Tennessee track in time, but Kraus arrived on the grid moments before the command to start engines. The rest is history, but it’s safe to say that this weekend was emotional for various reasons.
Kraus proved the doubters wrong in the SLM world, but a chance to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 showed that bigger things could be in store for his near-term future.
Trouble Brewing Amongst Wilson Motorsports Teammates
Cole Butcher and Gavan Boschele weren’t seeing eye-to-eye following the night’s contest at Newport, having made on-track contact on more than one occasion throughout the night.
The first incident came on lap 176 of 300, where apparent contact from Butcher sent Boschele around for a spin on the exit of turn 4. The pair collided again on the cool-down lap before things came to a climax with a kerfuffle on pit road after the event.
Some Wilson Motorsports crew members worked to keep the drivers separated, despite other members taking up to defend their respective drivers. Boschele’s father, Kris, highlighted the scuffle by making his way to Butcher, exchanging words and chest bumps before the duo were separated.
With a stressful atmosphere fostered by between Wilson and its various staff members, the organization will need to look back at Saturday’s incidents and make the appropriate motions to alleviate any remaining tension moving forward.
One thing is certain, though, and that is that Wilson Motorsports is leagues stronger when working as a united front. Saturday’s contact and other mechanical gremlins caused Wilson Motorsports to lose ground in the standings despite jumping out to a big points lead early in the season.
Austin Nason’s Eventful Day at Newport
No one knows ASA STARS better than Nason, the only racer to compete in every ASA STARS National Tour event to this point of the series’ existence.
Nason scored his first top-five finish on the year with a fifth-place effort at Newport. The strong run for Nason and his family team was a definite highlight, with the operation considered an “underdog” among more corporate and profitable race teams.
The strong run wasn’t the only highlight for Nason, however. He also played a huge part in assisting the track with an unexpected track surface issue early on Saturday morning. Unexpected rainfall birthed a weeper into the track surface in turn 1, requiring significant work to provide the teams with a dry, safe surface in a crucial part of the track.
Luckily for the tour, Nason’s family landscaping business ensures that he keeps necessary tools with him while traveling around the country. One such tool, a concrete saw, was exactly what track owner Chuck Ward needed but didn’t have immediate access to beforehand.
To that extent, Nason saved the day. He stepped in at the eleventh hour and helped resolve the issue before cars went on track, ensuring that the day’s events could go on without obstruction. Hours later, those efforts paid off with a hard-earned top five.
The ASA STARS National Tour will return to action with a Father’s Day doubleheader in the state of Wisconsin. The series will visit Madison International Speedway on Friday, June 13th, before venturing over to Slinger Super Speedway on Sunday, June 15th.
