What Is 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West was the 70th season of the developmental stock car racing series, featuring 14 races across the western United States from March to November 2019, with Derek Kraus winning the championship.

Key Facts

The 2019 season marked the 70th anniversary of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Derek Kraus won the 2019 championship with 3 race victories and 10 top-five finishes.
The season began on March 30, 2019, at Tucson Speedway and ended on November 2, 2019, at Phoenix Raceway.
There were 14 total races held across 7 U.S. states including California, Arizona, and Washington.
The series was sponsored by K&N Engineering, an automotive filtration company.

Overview

The 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West served as a regional developmental circuit for NASCAR, spotlighting emerging talent and short-track racing across the western United States. As a key stepping stone for drivers aiming for the NASCAR national series, it combined grassroots competition with professional oversight.

This season marked the 70th year of continuous operation for the series, originally founded in 1954 as the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series. The 2019 schedule featured a compact 14-race calendar, balancing oval tracks, road courses, and high-banked speedways.

Race count: The season included 14 official races, down from 15 in 2018, reflecting NASCAR’s strategic realignment of regional series.
Champion:Derek Kraus secured the title with consistent top-ten finishes and 3 race wins, including victories at Meridian and All-American Speedway.
Final race: The season concluded on November 2, 2019, at ISM Raceway (Phoenix), where Kraus clinched the championship by finishing second.
Driver age: The series featured a mix of youth and experience, with 17-year-old Trevor Huddleston earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Manufacturer dominance:Chevrolet led all brands with 7 race wins, followed by Ford with 5 and Toyota with 2.

How It Works

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West operated under a structured points system and eligibility rules designed to promote competitive balance and driver development. Each race contributed to both individual and team standings, with consistency often outweighing single-race dominance.

Points system: Drivers earned 40 points for a win, with incremental points down to 34th place, plus 5 bonus points for leading a lap and 5 for leading the most laps.
Car specifications: All vehicles were 600-horsepower late models with steel tube-frame chassis and NASCAR-approved safety features, closely mirroring national series designs.
Track types: The series competed on short ovals (0.25–0.5 miles), paved ovals up to 1.0 mile, and one road course at Sonoma Raceway.
Driver eligibility: Competitors needed a NASCAR license and were typically aged 16–25, with strict age waivers required for younger entrants.
Sponsorship:K&N Engineering served as title sponsor, providing air filter technology and prize incentives for top finishers.
Television coverage: All races were streamed live on NASCAR’s website and TrackPass, with select events aired on NBCSN.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 K&N Pro Series West differed significantly from its eastern counterpart and national series in structure, geography, and competition level. The following table highlights key distinctions:

Feature	K&N Pro Series West	K&N Pro Series East	NASCAR Cup Series
Races in 2019	14	15	36
Geographic focus	Western U.S. (CA, AZ, WA)	Eastern U.S. (FL, NY, PA)	Nationwide
Average field size	22 cars	24 cars	40 cars
Champion’s wins	3 (Derek Kraus)	2 (Bret Holmes)	7 (Kyle Busch)
Top speed (avg.)	135 mph	140 mph	190 mph

While the West Series offered fewer races and lower speeds than the Cup Series, it provided critical experience for drivers learning car control and race strategy. Its regional focus reduced travel costs and allowed local fan engagement, making it a sustainable model for grassroots motorsport.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season played a vital role in shaping the future of NASCAR by identifying and nurturing the next generation of drivers, crew members, and engineers. Its influence extended beyond the track, impacting team development and regional motorsport economies.

Talent pipeline: The series served as a proving ground for future Cup and Xfinity drivers, including Todd Gilliland and Hailie Deegan.
Cost efficiency: With average race budgets under $50,000, it offered a more accessible entry point than national series.
Community impact: Events drew 5,000–10,000 fans per race, boosting local tourism and small businesses.
Media exposure: Live streaming expanded access, with over 200,000 cumulative views across the season.
Technical development: Crews gained hands-on experience with fuel strategy, pit stops, and chassis tuning under real conditions.
Pathway to NASCAR: The top 3 finishers in the standings received invitations to NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Combine.

Ultimately, the 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West reinforced the importance of regional racing in sustaining the sport’s long-term health and competitiveness.