From Inside Line Promotions
Poplar Bluff, MO — (March 25, 2014) — Although his goal of winning three consecutive races was sidelined for the moment, Derek Hagar continued his hot streak by posting another top five last weekend.
Hagar, who started the season with back-to-back victories for the second straight year, recorded a fifth-place result on a rubber-down track last Saturday at Poplar Bluff Speedway with the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour.
“It’s definitely a big deal to keep top fives alive,” he said. “Three wins in a row would be nice. I’ve gotten two in a row, but I can’t seem to get the third one. That’s one of our goals for this year.”
Hagar had a late change of plans that sent him to Poplar Bluff Speedway after weather for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour doubleheader at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, didn’t look promising.
“The chances of rain were kinda big for Saturday when we looked at it,” he said. “We had to make a business decision. Without any sponsorship money behind us it’s hard to go out and gamble on a long trip.”
Hagar started his night at Poplar Bluff Speedway by advancing from sixth to fourth place in the dash. Then in his heat race, he charged from fourth to second place. However, Hagar was credited with a heat race victory after the first-place driver failed to go to the scales.
As the winner of the first heat race, Hagar pulled the No. 6 to invert the top six in points for the main event. Since he was second highest in points, Hagar started the feature on the inside of the third row.
“It was blowing dust from hot laps,” he said. “The grader broke early in the morning they said and they didn’t get to hardly do any track prep. The track started rubbering up during the first heat race in the sprint cars. By the time it was the feature it was rubbered up down the straightaways and in the corners.”
The main event was shortened to 25 laps and Hagar spent most of the race in fifth place, which is where he ended.
“I was riding wheelies down the straightaway,” he said. “I started getting a lot of tire chatter coming off turn four. It probably wouldn’t have made 30 laps. We were definitely cutting it close.”
Hagar will drive for Jay Hancock this Friday and Saturday at the 3rd annual Toccoa Tangle at Toccoa Speedway in Toccoa, Ga., with the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour.
QUICK RESULTS –
March 22 – Poplar Bluff Speedway in Poplar Bluff, Mo. – Dash: 4 (6); Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 5 (5).
SEASON STATS –
3 races, 2 wins, 3 top fives, 3 top 10s, 3 top 15s, 3 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Toccoa Speedway in Toccoa, Ga., for the 3rd annual Toccoa Tangle with the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek
APPAREL –
Hagar has t-shirts, hats and koozies available for sale at his race trailer at every race he competes at. To see his schedule, visit http://www.DerekHagar.com/