HISTORY: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

HISTORY: NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which includes the East and the West, is the last step in NASCAR’s developmental ladder before drivers progress to the three national series.

The series introduces NASCAR fans to the next generation of stars, and the diverse mix of short tracks, road courses, and national series speedways appeals to a broad range of motorsports fans. With identical series racing throughout the country, the K&N Pro Series provides an opportunity for young drivers to gain valuable experience and exposure to highly competitive racing.

Since 2007, NASCAR K&N Pro Series drivers have made a significant impact at the national level, including Joey Logano, was crowned the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion. Logano’s racing roots come from the K&N Pro Series, where he won his first race in his first career start at South Carolina’s Greenville Pickens Speedway. He also became the first driver in series history to win both the Rookie of the Year and championship in the same season — a feat that five other drivers have since also accomplished.

William Byron, who won the 2015 K&N Pro Series East championship, won in his second career start, and also won the title in his Rookie of the Year season. Byron moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and won the title there in his Rookie season in 2017, and since has moved to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, where he won the Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 driving for powerhouse operation Hendrick Motorsports.

NASCAR Next driver Harrison Burton, who competes in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series, eclipsed Logano as the youngest champion in series history when he won the championship in 2017. Burton clinched his first title at 16 years, 11 months and 20 days, a mark that was four months younger than Logano. Current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stars Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Austin and Ty Dillon, Kyle Larson, Daniel Hemric, Daniel Suarez, Darrell Wallace Jr., and others, all have past success in the K&N Pro Series.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East originated as the NASCAR Busch North Series in 1987, before becoming the NASCAR Busch East Series in 2006, and the Camping World East Series in 2008. NASCAR welcomed K&N Filters as the sponsor of the class in 2010.

Kneasthistorypage Dover06 — *Kelly Moore (47), the all-time wins leader in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, races former driver and current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Crew Chief Paul Wolfe at Dover in 2006. (NASCAR)*

K&N PRO SERIES EAST FIRSTS

First Race: Darlington Raceway, March 28, 1987

First Race Winner: Dale Earnhardt

First Pole Winner: Geoffrey Bodine

First Champion: Joey Kourafas

First Female To Start For A Race: Karen Schulz, Oxford Plains Speedway, July 1989

First Road Course Race: Fisher Snow Plows 125, Watkins Glen International, June 1993

First Sunoco Rookie of the Year: Joe Bessey (1988)

First Combo Race With K&N West: Minnesota 150, Elko Speedway, May 2007

*The first race of the NASCAR Busch East Series was in 2007, at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina. (NASCAR)*

YEAR-BY-YEAR: K&N Pro Series East Results & Point Standings

K&N PRO SERIES EAST STATS & RECORDS

Number of Series Races: 553 (Beginning of 2019)

Most Career Starts:

Kelly Moore… 335

FULL LIST: K&N Pro Series East All-Time Wins Leaders

Most Career Wins:

Kelly Moore... 27
Brad Leighton… 24
Andy Santerre… 23
Kelly Moore, who leads the all-time wins and poles list in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, poses with his championship trophy. (NASCAR)