(Photo by DPC Media)
Inside Line Promotions – MARION, Ark. (March 30, 2021) – Confidence is on Derek Hagar’s side this weekend as he tackles a USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series event at Riverside International Speedway.
Hagar will take part in the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Hometown Challenge on Friday and Saturday at the bullring in West Memphis, Ark., where he captured a win during his lone midget appearance last year.
“That’s our home track,” he said. “I know that place as well as anyone. You have to adapt and find the race track. One lap it might be on the bottom and the next it might have moved to the top. I think that’s part of an advantage I’ll have is knowing how to adapt.
“I think we have a good shot at having a good run, at least making some good laps and being competitive. Consistency and getting comfortable quickly will be key. Luckily we’ll have two nights of being in the seat.”
Hagar has been hampered by inclement weather and mechanical woes to start his sprint car season, but all is looking up for his first midget start since scoring his career-best Chili Bowl Nationals result in January. Hagar posted a sixth-place showing during his preliminary night before ending a B Main in eighth – just one spot shy of picking up a transfer into the A Main – during the finale. He'll return to the Shawn Wood owned midget he ran at the Chili Bowl Nationals this weekend.
“We have a lot of help this year that we haven’t had so I think this year will be a big year with the sprint car and midget stuff,” Hagar said. “I’m antsy to go out and make some laps. I know we’re competitive and fast in just about everything we get in.”
The goal for this weekend is simple.
“My goal is the top five,” he said. “I’d love to pick up my first USAC win, but you have to be realistic. These kids are badass these days. They have no fear. You have to drive smarter and be there to capitalize if they screw up.”
Hagar noted he will also field midgets for Chase Howard and Austin Wood this weekend and he also plans on running his 360ci winged sprint car on Saturday.
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., for the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Hometown Challenge with the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – J&J Auto Racing
Located in McKenzie, Tenn., J&J Auto Racing has manufactured sprint car chassis and racing parts for more than 40 years. For more information, visit http://www.JandJAutoRacing.com.
“They’ve been in the family since J&J Auto Racing started building cars,” Hagar said. “My stepdad’s dad owned race cars back in the Riverside days. They are good, safe, dependable race cars and great people to deal with.”
Hagar would like to thank B&D Towing and Recovery, Dynotech Performance, FK Rod Ends, Summit Truck Group, Fragola Performance Systems, Killer Coatings, Administrative Consulting Services, Xtreme Race Graphics, Southern Collision Centre, Jeff’s Heating and Cooling, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Weld Wheels, DHR Suspension, Hinchman Racewear, Wix Filters, Valvoline and Ti64 for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Mar 30, 2021
- Article Date: 3/30/2021 by Inside Line Promotions