Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. hopes to continue his path to his first USAC National driving title Thursday when the USAC Mopar National Midget Series returns to Raceway Park at Indianapolis for the “Rich Vogler Classic” presented by J.D. Bryider. The event also includes the “J.D. Byrider 100” for USAC’s Traxxas Silver Crown cars.
Hagen, who won the 2011 USAC Pavement Sprint Car crown, holds a substantial 186-point lead over Tracy Hines in the latest Mopar points and he also leads the current USAC National Drivers Championship, which recognizes excellence across all three of USAC’s National racing series.
Hagen recorded his initial victory at the Indy oval in last year’s “Night Before the 500” Midget classic and his six podium finishes this year include his third-place finish in this year’s “Night Before the 500” feature. He’s picked up feature wins in 2012 at Altamahaw, N.C., Gas City, Lawrenceburg and Plymouth, Ind.
Hines, whose bid for USAC’s career “Triple Crown” lacks a Midget title, although he finished just one point behind Cole Whitt in 2008, scores a sensational last-lap victory in this year’s “Night Before the 500” and also notched a 2012 win at Dodge City, Kans.
The Indy oval has hosted a total of 134 USAC National Midget races, producing 59 different winners, including Johnny Parsons, whose seven wins are the most by any driver.
2012 MOPAR USAC NATIONAL MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Darren Hagen-928; 2-Tracy Hines-742; 3-Bryan Clauson-677; 4-Caleb Armstrong-664; 5-Bobby East-545; 6-Mario Clouser-544; 7-Kyle Larson-542; 8-Brad Kuhn-500; 9-Chris Windom-487; 10-Rico Abreu-471.
- Admin Account on Jul 23, 2012
- Article Date: 7/23/2012