Hagar is set to record his first career top 10 at the 26th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires, which is held Wednesday through Saturday at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark.

“It’s two hours from home,” he said. “We have a lot of people here rooting for us. There are a lot of expectations.”

Hagar, who has earned a top 10 in all but one race this season, is riding a career season into the $15,000-to-win Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event. He has qualified for the prestigious feature twice – in 2006 when he finished 16th and last season when he placed 14th.

But this year is different. Not only has it been his best statistic season, Hagar also feels he has an advantage by racing the new surface across the high-banked, quarter-mile oval several times this season.

“They changed it over the winter,” he said. “We’ve had a real good season and we’ve had some good runs at Little Rock since they’ve changed the dirt. I think the dirt is going to throw everybody for a loop because it’s different than it used to be. It’s just a whole different kind of slick. It hasn’t taken rubber like it normally would. It keeps a real shiny haze over the top of it.”

Hagar charged from 17th to ninth in April during a Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour race and he placed fourth with the tour in August. He also earned a third-place result in July at I-30 Speedway and finished ninth in September in nonwing action at the bullring.

Therefore, Hagar said his expectations are pretty high.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t make the main Saturday night and be competitive for the win,” he said.”

SEASON STATS –

42 races, 10 wins, 30 top fives, 41 top 10s, 41 top 15s, 41 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the 26th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.DerekHagar.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hagarderek

APPAREL –

Hagar has t-shirts, hats and koozies available for sale at his race trailer at every race he competes at. To see his schedule, visit http://www.DerekHagar.com/schedule.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – J&J Auto Racing

Located in McKenzie, Tenn., J&J Auto Racing has manufactured sprint car chassis and racing parts for more than 40 years. For more information, visit http://www.JandJAutoRacing.com.

“They’ve been in the family since J&J Auto Racing started building cars,” Hagar said. “My stepdad’s dad owned race cars back in the Riverside days. They are good, safe, dependable race cars and great people to deal with.”

Hagar would also like to thank R.E. Enterprises, Fragola Performance Systems, DynoTech Performance, FSR Radiators, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, FK Rod Ends and Xtreme Race Graphics for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors’ return on investment.

To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.insidelinepromotions.com.