Kaz Grala travels to California for his NASCAR K&N West debut

The Boston native has a diverse resume in terms of road coarse competition including two top-fives in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East road course starts last year.

In 2014 Grala became the youngest driver to be licensed and compete in an International Motor Sports Association event by competing for Rum Bum Racing in the Continental Tire series event during the Rolex 24 weekend at Daytona International Speedway.  

Grala added a victory to his road course record this year when he helped steer his team to a dominating win in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) at New Jersey Motorsports Park. That win, along with his 2014 SCCA victory at Watkins, have provided the 16-year-old with valuable seat time as he prepares for his debut in the K&N Pro Series West and at Sonoma Raceway.

While the majority of Grala’s races are on ovals, he’s quick to admit that several road courses are on his list of favorite tracks, and he’s excited about the unique challenge that Sonoma Raceway will provide.

“Many drivers from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East have come over to the West Series for extra seat time at some really cool tracks like Sonoma at Phoenix,” said Grala. “This weekend, I will be joined with some other East racers along with the whole West field, so it’s going to be almost a national battle over here on the west coast!”

“Road courses are where it all started for me in a go kart at four years old,” Grala said. “I enjoy road courses every bit as much as I enjoy ovals, and I’m excited to turn right for a change. Sonoma is a famous track with many technical turns and elevation changes. It’s a challenge having never been here, but I’m pumped to take it on.”

The season isn’t slowing down for Grala any time soon as he returns to NASCAR K&N Pro Series East July 4 for the NAPA 150 before heading to his home track, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, July 17 for the Granite State 70. Grala has positioned himself solidly in the top-10 in championship standings with three top-10s and a top-five so far.

Grala and Ben Kennedy Racing will have newcomer-partner Endicia on the hood this week for the Carneros 200 at Sonoma Raceway. Endicia is based out of Mountain View, California and specializes in a digital postage system that helps businesses is simplify all their mailing needs. To learn more, you can visit endicia.com. 

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West action will begin with practice Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. PDT and final practice at 2:00 p.m. PDT. Qualifying for the Carneros 200 will start at 9:45 a.m. PDT Saturday, June 27. The race will begin at 2 p.m. PDT.

Ben Kennedy Racing PR