Sam Mayer claims NASCAR K&N Casey's General Store 150 win

Sam Mayer backed up his second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series pole by putting his No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet in Victory Lane following winning Friday’s Casey’s General Store 150 at Iowa Speedway.

The young standout from Wisconsin led 139 of 150 laps to record his second victory of the year. In the process, Mayer assumed the lead in the championship standings over Bill McAnally Racing’s Derek Kraus.

Kraus entered the annual combination event leading both the East and West championship races. Kraus recovered from an early spin to salvage a fourth-place finish.

“This was one of the ones (tracks) that I liked the most when I raced here last year, we really didn’t finish that well but this year was quite the opposite,” Mayer said. “Getting this win right here was just the start of what me and GMS can do. I feel like we’re going to have a lot more this year and hopefully we can go five-in-a-row.”

Hailie Deegan finished 12th after starting ninth.

This was the 17th NASCAR K&N Pro Series East / West combination race held at the Fastest Short Track on the Planet, and past winners include 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Cole Custer and last year’s winner Tyler Ankrum.

Next up for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is Watkins Glen International on Aug.t 2. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be in action at Evergreen Speedway on Aug. 17.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Qualifying for the race begins at 11 a.m. Defending U.S. Cellular 250 winner Christopher Bell posted the fastest single lap in Friday’s first practice session while Cole Custer was fastest in final Xfinity Series practice on Friday.

Fans should plan to arrive at Iowa Speedway early to avoid congestion. Parking lots open at 9 a.m.