Hagar Holds Off Swindell for Special Ralph Henson Memorial Victory at I-30

Derek Hagar. (T.J. BuffenbargerPhoto)

Inside Line Promotions

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 20, 2016) – Derek Hagar swept the Ralph Henson Memorial last Saturday at I-30 Speedway, where he garnered more than $5,000 in prize money.

However, just as important, Hagar held off one of the sport’s biggest names en route to his 13th triumph of the year.

“We had a really good car,” he said. “Whenever I got out of the car and they said it was Sammy (Swindell) we were battling with it made the win that much better because I was able to race with him and come out on top knowing how strong of a competitor he is. It was a pretty special moment to beat an icon in sprint car racing.”

The night began with Hagar charging from fifth to win a heat race. That gave him the most points of any driver during heat race competition and a spot in the dash, which he won after starting on the outside of the front row. The dash win put him on the pole for the 30-lap main event.

“A little over halfway through the feature I saw a No. 3 car kept pulling beside me,” he said. “He slid me in turn three and I got back by him. Later he got about a half a car in front of me and we drove around him. I found the best part of the race track and we ended up pulling away from him.”

Hagar maintained the top spot throughout the feature to record the prestigious win. That gives him plenty of momentum entering another special event this weekend.

Hagar will drive his winged sprint car and he will pilot a non-wing sprint car for David Korte Thursday through Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., for the Hockett/McMillin Memorial with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour and WAR Sprint Car Series. Hagar has won both winged and non-wing shows during the event.

“It feels pretty special to go back and know we have a chance,” he said. “We run strong there and seem to have good success there. It’s now a three-day event. There’s more money on the line and maybe it will bring some other cars in. We need to go out there and find our way to the front and hopefully pull off some wins.”

QUICK RESULTS –

Sept. 17 – I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. – Heat race: 1 (5); Dash: 1 (2); Feature: 1 (1).

SEASON STATS –

41 races, 13 wins, 30 top fives, 33 top 10s, 35 top 15s, 37 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Thursday through Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., for the Hockett/McMillin Memorial with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour and WAR Sprint Car Series

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Fragola Performance Systems

Housed in Southington, Conn., Fragola Performance Systems manufactures fittings, lines and hoses for the racing industry. For more information, visit http://www.FragolaPerformanceSystems.com.

“Fragola Performance Systems are all in all a good fitting and line manufacturer,” Hagar said. “They make really good lightweight hose. I prefer them over anybody else as far as a good pressure hose.”

Hagar would also like to thank Dynotech Performance, DHR Suspension, B&D Towing, J&J Auto Racing, Xtreme Race Graphics, FSR Radiators, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Hinchman Racewear, Wings Unlimited, FK Rod Ends 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.

*PHOTO BY BRANDON YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY*