BENTON, Mo. — For the first time in 15 years, the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 visited Benton Speedway and Arkansas driver Derek Hagar claimed the $8,000 top prize.
Hagar, an eight-time 360 sprint car winner this season, took command of the 30-lap contest on lap 11, utilizing a post-open red-flag restart to slide race-long leader and Rudeen Racing ace, Zeb Wise, in turn one. Wise attempted to return the favor the following set of turns, but Hagar was able to defend.
Once taking command, Hagar set sail, eventually switching his focus to the bottom of the speedway just beyond halfway. An abrasive surface led to a bottom dominant groove, and that’s where Hagar stayed, catching the back of the field in the late stages with a quick closing Wise and Corey Day.
Day, who got by Wise on lap 27, drove to the back bumper of Hagar in the final two circuits, but time ran thin and Hagar drove to his first All Star victory.
Day raced on to finish second, followed by Wise, Tim Shaffer and Kerry Madsen.
“Man, I don’t think this has even sunk in yet,” Hagar said. “We were OK early on, but that open red after lap 10 allowed us to really tighten this race car up. I was able to get by Zeb and protect the lead from there. Just so tough out there being out front. I kept trying to sneak a look at the scoreboard to see how many laps were left. When I knew the checkered was out, I was fist pumping all the way down the frontstretch.
“This is our first 410 start this year,” Hagar added. “To get my first All Star win here at Benton Speedway is just so special. It’s just an incredible feeling to be standing here as a winner with you guys.”
The finish:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 44-Derek Hagar[4]; 2. 14-Corey Day[5]; 3. 26-Zeb Wise[1]; 4. 45-Tim Shaffer[2]; 5. 55-Kerry Madsen[6]; 6. 21T-Cole Macedo[3]; 7. 51B-Joe B Miller[7]; 8. 31-Zach Daum[20]; 9. 97-JJ Hickle[16]; 10. 101-Cody Maroske[10]; 11. 18T-Tanner Holmes[17]; 12. 28M-Conner Morrell[12]; 13. 4-Chris Windom[13]; 14. 13-Chase Howard[18]; 15. 29-Sye Lynch[15]; 16. 37-Ayden Gatewood[23]; 17. 28-Jason Keith[19]; 18. 19-Ayrton Gennetten[22]; 19. 7BC-Anthony Macri[11]; 20. 6-Mario Clouser[24]; 21. (DNF) W20-Greg Wilson[21]; 22. (DNF) 16TH-Parker Price Miller[8]; 23. (DNF) 50K-Kyle Bellm[14]; 24. (DNF) 17AU-Jamie Veal[9]