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HAGEN WINS MANZY’S “COPPER ON DIRT,
GRABS EARLY MIDGET SERIES POINT LEAD
Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. is the early point leader in the 2008 USAC Mopar National and Western Midget Series following his win in Saturday night’s 25-lap “Copper on Dirt” feature presented by Sands Chevrolet at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz.
Hagen has a nine point lead over Cole Whitt in the new standings, with the Western series resuming action March 15 at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. and the National series idle until an April 6 race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway.
Hagen led the final 18 laps of the Phoenix race in his IWX/Advanced Racing Bullet/Esslinger Ford after passing Garret Hansen on lap eight. Hansen eventually retired from the race as Cole Whitt, defending National Champion Jerry Coons Jr., Tracy Hines and Brad Sweet rounded out the “top-five” at the checkered flag.
Defending USAC Western Midget Champ Johnny Rodriguez finished 18th in the 25-lap race.
Josh Ford was the fastest qualifier in the 60-car field, while heats went to Aaron Fike, Brady Bacon, Scott Pierovich, Sweet and Coons. Nathan High won the C Main and semis went to High and Danny Stratton.
Former Western Midget Champ Jerome Rodela was treated and released from a Phoenix hospital after flipping during the second heat race.
Rains forced postponement of Friday’s scheduled Phoenix preliminaries, which were held Saturday afternoon.
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