7/17/2010
Derek Hagar
Hagar wins USCS race at Dixie Speedway
Woodstock, GA - July 17, 2010 - The 2006 United Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year, Derek Hagar from Marion, Arkansas charged past Cherryville, North Carolina hot-shoe Johnny Bridges, on lap five of the thirty-lap USCS presented by Goodyear Dixie Sprint Car Nationals at Dixie Speedway on Saturday night. Hagar was driving the Jay Hancock owned Athens, Georgia based #1A sprint car. It was Hagar’s first time in the car and he collected $2000 for his efforts. It was Hagar’s fourth career USCS feature win. Hagar started outside row one next to K&N Filters Pole Award recipient, 15 year-old, Eric Riggins, Jr. from Charlotte, North Carolina. On lap one Hagar jumped into the lead. Johnny Bridges raced into the second position by lap four and past Hagar for the lead on the fifth circuit around the 3/8 mile red clay speed plant. Hagar regained the lead he never relinquished on lap six. The challengers pulled up behind the young Arkansan, after the caution flag flew three times, but he raced away each time to a comfortable margin. Matt Linder from Hoschton, Georgia who started eighth advanced six positions and finished in the runner-up spot. Eight-time United Sprint Car Series presented by Goodyear National Champion and current series points leader, Terry Gray from Bartlett, Tennessee finished in the third position. Gray’s team-mate, seventeen year-old female sprint car star, Morgan Turpen from Bartlett, Tennessee finished in the fourth position. USCS veteran sprint car driver, Aubrey Black from Lookout Mountain, Georgia rounded out the top five.
The next group of finishers was headed by Rookie A.J. Maddox from Tampa, Florida in sixth place. Another rookie driver Eric Riggins, Jr. from Charlotte, North Carolina followed in seventh position. Brandon McLain from Indian Trail, Carolina finished eighth. Veteran David Thorman from Greenville, South Carolina finished ninth. Another sprint car veteran, Bob Auld from Largo, Florida rounded out the top ten finishers. Johnny Bridges kicked off the evening’s USCS sprint car action with a win in the 6-cars, 6-laps Goodyear Speed Dash for the top six cars from the previous event. Bridges then went on to win the 10-lap Engler Machine and Tool First Heat Race. Sport Allen from Seffner, Florida. rolled to victory in the Butlerbuilt Second Heat Race. Brandon McLain garnered the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award by passing eight cars in the main event. Current Rookie of the Year points leader Morgan Turpen garnered the Rookie of Race honors.