DIRT MIDGETS RESUME AT PEORIA IN NOVEMBER;

HAGEN TAKES COLUMBUS & NATIONAL PAVEMENT TITLE

Darren Hagen wrapped up one USAC National Midget championship Saturday night and another will be finalized in November races in the West. The Honda USAC National Midget Dirt title hinges on the outcome of races November 14-16 at Peoria, Ariz. and November 28 at Perris, Calif.

Hagen, of Riverside, Calif., locked up his fourth consecutive Honda USAC National Midget Pavement crown with his wire-to-wire 40-lap feature victory in Saturday night’s “Battle in the Buckeye State” at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

Hagen started next to pole-starter Tracy Hines as the two entered the race in a tie for the championship. Hines eventually finished second as Hagen paced all 40 laps in his Liberty Village/McGladrey & Pullen Beast/Esslinger Ford. Caleb Armstrong was third, ahead of Dalton Armstrong and Taylor Ferns at the checkered flag.

Hagen’s four pavement titles give him a total of six USAC crowns when added to the 2012 National and National Dirt championships.

The final margin of victory for Hagen was three points over Hines, with Bobby Santos third in the final standings after finishing sixth at Columbus.