Toledo Speedway

Australian Andrew Hagen has begun to make a name for himself in the short track racing world after competing successfully for Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) in the first two Super Late Model Series events of his career. Next up for the 22-year-old driver is this Friday, June 19 at Toledo Speedway for the Speedway Tire and Auto Father's Day Special, featuring the Hantz Group-Allegiant Air Late Model Gold Cup 75-lap Race.

Hagen was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. After years of karting, he progressed up to sports car and open wheel competition. In 2008 the 22 year old decided to head for the United States and follow in the footsteps of local hero Marcus Ambrose to achieve a successful career as a NASCAR driver.  Hagen quickly immersed himself in the NASCAR community and after a successful test with BKR, his first ever on an oval, he was chosen to drive their Super Late Model for the 2009 season.

The young Australian experienced first hand the close and aggressive competition of the short track world after being taken by a fellow competitor in his first race at the Toledo Speedway in Toledo, OH.  But Hagen and crew chief Ron Keselowski came back in style for their second race with a solid top six finish at Auto City Speedway in Clio, MI, quickly proving that they will be a force to reckoned with in the 2009 season.

Brad Keselowski, who drives full time for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is a recent winner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series said:

"I'm very excited to see how Andrew can perform given the opportunity with great equipment that we have at BKR. The late model program means a lot to me. I owe the grass roots racing that late models represent to my own success and I feel strongly that it is the fundamental start that all racers need to be competitive at the NASCAR level."

Andrew Hagen, driver of the #00 BKR Super Late Model said:

"I'm excited to be back in the States driving for Brad Keselowski. We all worked so hard last year to get to this point, and now that we are here and doing it, I'm so grateful to all the people who helped me get here. The Keselowski name is highly respected within NASCAR and ARCA circles; to be affiliated with such a great group of people is something that I am proud of. Before the season began our goal was to get our feet wet and learn the ins and outs of stock car racing, we knew we were entering a hard category in the Super Late Models, as most drivers are veterans of decades in some cases. We have already had a strong 6^th place result in only my second race, and I am consistently learning under the guidance of BKR. Throughout this year I hope to continue to grow within the sport and make a push for NASCAR series in years to come. I know that the skills I learn here in the Super Late Models will transfer over and prepare me well for the challenges ahead. Brad himself spent time in this category before making the big time with JR Motorsports and winning the Sprint Cup race at Talladega."

For more information please visit http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=54110239&msgid=338548&act=WQKE&c=497275&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andrew-hagen.com%2F where you will be able to find a variety of information and content, including on board cameras, photos, news and Hagen's blog where he discusses what it is like for an Australian open wheel driver to transition into American short track racing. 

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Toni Calderon
Casus Management