Darren Hagen Joins Nine Racing

Darren Hagen has joined Nine Racing to drive the #9 Team ASE/Oakley/Ed Pink Toyota for the remainder of the 2008 USAC National Midget Series season. Darren, who is from Riverside, California, will appear in his first event for Nine Racing driving the #9 midget at Angell Park Speedway, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, on Saturday, August 23.

"This is a great opportunity for me knowing the success rate of drivers who have come out of the Nine Racing program like Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler, and other famous drivers," said Darren. "For me just to have the chance to drive the #9 midget of Nine Racing is an awesome deal."

Darren replaces veteran driver Dave Darland, who is currently ninth in USAC National Midget Series points, and claimed one victory in the #9 Team ASE/Oakley/Ed Pink Toyota this season at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, in New Salem, Wisconsin.

"Dave Darland has been an integral component in Nine Racing's success since joining the team on a regular basis in 1999, accounting for the most wins by one driver for our team with 25," explained Steve Lewis, owner of the Nine Racing team. "Dave is a genuine USAC-style racing icon, and we truly appreciate his contribution to our team. However, at this time, we are taking the team in a new direction with Darren who joins Kody Swanson for the remainder of the season."

Darren currently stands in seventh place in the USAC National Midget Series points standings, and has one win this year in the Midget Series at Manzanita Speedway. Darren drove the #19 Team ASE/Oakley/Ed Pink Toyota midget at Belleville in August, as a stand-in for Kody Swanson, and finished in 11th place. Darren is also a very successful sprint car driver with two wins this year in the USAC Sprint Car Series both at Winchester Speedway.