USAC Midget/Sprint Car

The three-night event brought together the full roster of the USAC National Midget Car series, as well as the Illinois-based PowrI Midget Assn., combining to form one of the deepest and most competitive fields of the season.

Nine Racing, campaigning California-based drivers Darren Hagen and Kody Swanson, utilize 166-ci naturally aspirated in-line four-cylinder Toyota engines prepared by Ed Pink Racing Engines.
          
The three nights of racing featured a full program of heats and feature events on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday night’s program lined up based on points earned the previous two nights.
          
Both Hagen and Swanson struggled on each of the preliminary nights, and were unable to qualify for the feature events. On Saturday they were running in a transfer position in the C-feature when Swanson was spun in contact with another car, collecting Hagen in the process.
          
Hagen, currently seventh in USAC National Midget points, was able to use a provisional to make the 50-lap feature event, where he finished 18th.
          
“It was a tough weekend,” admitted Hagen. “You usually have that type of weekend once per year, and this was our turn to suffer. We just struggled those first two nights, even though our practice night went very well.
          
“The first night we had a problem with the electrical system, and it caused the car to cut out. We got that sorted out for the second night, and then we just had one of those nights.
          
“The third night we kept the bad luck going, we started way back in the C, got into a transfer position, then somebody spun Kody and collected us. We used the provisional, but didn’t really improve ourselves much in the feature.
          
“We should have done better, so now we’ll get together Monday morning and work on rebounding. Nine Racing is a competitive team with a lot of history, and they don’t like losing. So I’m confident we’ll rebound pretty quickly.”
          
The series now enjoys a couple of weeks rest before heading to the ultra-fast Phoenix Intl. Raceway on Nov. 6.
          
“I’m looking forward to going to Phoenix,” said Hagen. “That’s one of my favorite places to race these cars. Wide and fast, and really competitive. It will feel good to get back there.”
 
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS