4/17/2024
Inside Line Promotions
Hagar Focusing on Improvement With High Limit Home Race on Horizon
(Photo courtesy of World of Outlaws)
Inside Line Promotions – PEVELY, Mo. (April 17, 2024) – Derek Hagar is working to improve the Paul Hart No. 44 sprint car on heavy track conditions.
Hagar was hampered by a mechanical struggle last weekend during the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Spring Classic hosted by Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.
“The track was heavy and that was the first heavy track we’ve run with this motor combination,” he said. “We talked to Scuba, who is (Donny) Schatz’s crew chief. This was one of their old motors. He was like, ‘This thing is made for a bigger track and not these smaller tracks.’ We kept having to throw gear to it. I was like 25 more points of gear than I normally run at Pevely.”
Hagar qualified 18th quickest in his group on Friday before he hustled from ninth to seventh place in a heat race and from 10th to fifth place in the Last Chance Showdown. That was tied for the most positions gained and was only one spot out of transferring into the main event.
“It played into our favor as the track slicked off later in the night so we could race,” he said. “We had the car rolling pretty nice.
“On Saturday the track had more moisture in it and we just couldn’t get going. Qualifying put us behind the eight ball. Having to start in the back of the heat race and deep in the LCS, it just wasn’t our weekend.”
Hagar timed in 36th quickest overall and finished eighth in a heat race and 11th in the Last Chance Showdown on Saturday.
“I’m going to A.G. Rains’ today for the chassis dyno,” he said. “We need to get more bottom end out of it to make this thing run on heavy tracks. It’ll run good on a slick track. Pevely is the first track we’ve run that has had moisture and it really slowed us.”
The team is going to forgo racing this weekend. Next up for Hagar will be a Kubota High Limit Racing event at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., on Tuesday.
“We’re getting ready to race with guys that have raced 20 times already this year,” he said. “It’s my home track so I feel like I have somewhat of a home-field advantage, but these guys are on kill every time they unload. They have a good baseline and I’m trying to find a good baseline for this No. 44 car. I have high expectations as a home-town boy trying to compete with these guys.”
QUICK RESULTS –
April 12 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. – Qualifying: 18; Heat race: 7 (9); B Main: 5 (10).
April 13 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. – Qualifying: 36; Heat race: 8 (9); B Main: 11 (13).
SEASON STATS –
3 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 0 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Tuesday at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., with the Kubota High Limit Racing series
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – West Tennessee Expediting, Inc.
West Tennessee Expediting, Inc., which was founded in 2000 in Ripley, Tennessee, offers transportation, brokerage and warehouse services within the hauling industry. For more information, visit http://www.westtnexpediting.com.
“West Tennessee Expediting, Inc., has come on board with Paul Hart’s No. 44 sprint car team and is supporting us as we race in select marquee events,” Hagar said. “We’re grateful for the support of Jeff Buckner and everyone at West Tennessee Expediting, Inc.”
Hagar would like to thank Sonic of Dyersburg, Keith Jones Promotions, Boat Warehouse, West Tennessee Expediting, Inc., Ameri-Panel, J&J Auto Racing, B & D Towing and Recovery, FK Rod Ends, Dynotech Performance Race Engines, A.M.P., Fragola Performance Systems, Administrative Consulting Services, Killer Coatings, Beazt Composites, Xtreme Race Graphics, Southern Collision Centre, AR Dyno Specialty, Jeff’s Heating and Cooling, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Weld Wheels, DHR Suspension, Hinchman Racewear, Wix Filters, Valvoline, Ti64 and Builtwiser Wings for their continued support.
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Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller