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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 26, 2009
CONTACT: DICK JORDAN
"JEGS CROWN" AT COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY OFFERS HAGEN A CHANCE TO EXTEND NATIONAL POINT LEAD
The April 4 "Jegs Crown Midget Super Nationals" USAC Mopar National Midget race at the Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway is next on Darren Hagen's slate as he continues what promises to be a "breakout" season for him in USAC racing.
Hagen is the only driver so far to win in USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets this year and he has a 20-point lead over Brad Sweet in the new National Midget points. His 2009 victories were in the Sprint cars at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. February 21 and in the Midgets at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway February 28.
Three different racing series compete at CMS the weekend of April 4 and 5. On Saturday the .25 Midgets are racing on the 1/20-mile oval during the day and the National Midgets and Midwest Ford Focus Midgets race that night on the 1/3-mile. On Sunday the .25 Midgets return for more action on the track's 1/20-mile oval.
The April 4 "Jegs Crown" will be the 23rd appearance of USAC's National Midgets at the Columbus oval but the first since 2006. Hagen, who claimed both the National Midget and Sprint Car "Rookie of the Year" honors in 2005, has six career National Sprint car victories and four in the Midgets. His best finish at Columbus has been 12th in 2005.
"CMS can be a real racey track," admitted Hagen. "It depends on the day. I had never led a pavement Midget race until the 2005 race at CMS but a tangle while leading sent me to the back and I had to work my way back up to 12th. It's nice to be leading the standings but it's a long season and we'll see where we are a bit later. I have an unbelievable team (RFMS Racing). They work together well, have a lot of confidence and a positive attitude. That reflects in our performances, so it should be a fun season."
Fans attending Saturday's Columbus events will have a rare opportunity to visit the pit area to view the racing machines and get autographs from the drivers in a special two-hour "open house" from noon until 2 pm. USAC teams are also planning appearances at Columbus-area businesses during the week prior to the race and detailed information regarding those appearances and car displays will be released when firm.
Information regarding tickets for the "Jegs Crown Midget Super Nationals" USAC races at Columbus Motor Speedway can be obtained from Heidi Drake at the USAC office, at 317-247-5151.
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