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Hagar Learns Throughout 410 Knoxville Nationals Debut

(Photo by Paul Arch)

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 14, 2019) – Derek Hagar competed in the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores for the first time in his career last week.

Although the team didn’t get the outcome they were hoping for, they were able to learn a lot and are already looking forward to next year’s event at the famed Knoxville Raceway.

“Sunday we ran in the Capitani Classic to get some laps in,” Hagar said. “We qualified 29th in our group, which lined us up 10th in our heat race. We fell back a spot and finished 11th. We started 19th in the second B Main and ran 22nd. That was the end of our night.”

The Capitani Classic was a good warm-up for the Knoxville Nationals. The pace Hagar was running was consistent with his usual times, but he knew his motor program wasn’t where it needed to be. However, he looked forward to his qualifying night on Thursday as he was feeling more comfortable with his car and his on-track performance.

“We qualified 38th out of 56 cars on Thursday night,” he said. “That put us on the pole of our heat race, but we got hit by another car and that put us in the wall. There was so much damage to the car that we didn’t even try to repair it. It stunk it had to end that way because I feel like we could’ve had a good night.”

The team moved on to Friday for Hard Knox Night. Hagar qualified 36th quickest in his group before he maneuvered from 12th to eighth in a heat race. The night ended with a 16th-place result in a B Main.

“On Saturday we lined up 15th in the D Main,” Hagar said. “The track was really wet so it could last all night, which wasn’t great for a whole lot of passing. We ended up finishing 21st and that was the end of our run at Nationals. Had we not been wrecked on our qualifying night I think the weekend could’ve gone better, but it is what it is.”

Hagar is looking forward and preparing for next year’s event. If all goes accordingly, he hopes to run the 360 Knoxville Nationals and possibly a couple other races at Knoxville Raceway before 410 Knoxville Nationals next summer.

“Knoxville always provides a fun week,” he said. “We truly learned a lot and we got to have some fun doing it. Seeing people you haven’t all year and just enjoying that atmosphere at the track is unlike anything else. No matter what it was a great week.”

Hagar will take this weekend off before returning to action on Aug. 24 at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour.

QUICK RESULTS –

Aug. 4 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 29; Heat race: 11 (10); B Main: 22 (19).

Aug. 8 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 38; Heat race: DNF (1); C Main: DNS (3).

Aug. 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 36; Heat race: 8 (12); B Main: 16 (16).

Aug. 10 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – D Main: 21 (15).

SEASON STATS –

26 races, 6 wins, 16 top fives, 17 top 10s, 20 top 15s, 21 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Aug. 24 at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Summit Truck Group

Summit Truck Group is the largest International Truck dealer in North America. They’ve been running for over 72 years, and their teams makes sure to match you with the right products for your needs. For more information, visit http://www.SummitTruckGroup.com.

“Summit Truck Group has been with us for a couple of weeks now,” Hagar said. “The location in Memphis, Tenn., has been great to work with and we’re excited to have them be a part of our team.”

Hagar would also like to thank Dynotech Performance, J&J Auto Racing, Fragola Performance Systems, Killer Coatings, FK Rod Ends, Petra Construction, Southern Collision Centre, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Hedger Brothers Ready Mix, Weld Wheels, Xtreme Race Graphics, Hinchman Racewear, Wix Filters, Wings Unlimited, B&D Towing and Recovery, Valvoline, DHR Suspension 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.

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