TULSA, Okla. – Last season was a huge learning experience for Tulsa Speedway co-owners Keith Haney and Todd Martin.
When the 2021 racing season ended Haney and Martin, who are also co-owners of Tulsa Raceway Park, evaluated their first season as dirt track owners and committed to making major changes. At the top of the list was hiring a track manager.
After searching for the right person, long-time racer Nathan Hagar was hired.
“I am the Operations Manager and it will cover basically everything going on from the back gate to the end of race night,” Hagar said of his duties. “I have seen both sides of the fence over my 25 years I have been involved in racing. Most racers only know what happens on the racetrack and not in the tower.”
Hagar feels Haney and Martin are committed to making Tulsa Speedway a track everyone can be excited about.
“I see a lot of positive changes to the race track already,” Hagar said. “(Haney and Martin) are taking the initiative to make changes and make things work.
“I feel we are going to have a real good working relationship together. When everyone sees eye-to-eye on something it is bound to be successful. I am pretty excited about it.”
Construction has begun on what will be major enhancements to the facility.
“We have new clay coming in,” said Hagar. “They are already scrapping the old dirt off the track.
“There are going to be changes in turn two. A few drivers have spoken they felt it was tight coming off of turn two so we are making some configuration changes. We are also adding lighting to turn three.
“We are getting some pit bleachers put in and a lot of concrete is being poured for the concession stand and bathrooms.”
Hagar has been racing most of his life and felt the opportunity to manage Tulsa Speedway came along at just the right time.
“I have been involved in racing since I was eight years old racing micro sprints at Will Rogers Raceway and finally got to the modified,” Hagar said. “I have two kids that are getting to that age they want to start racing and am trying to make that transition where I can still be involved in racing and slow down my racing a little.
“For the last three years I have been running a USRA/USMTS modified. I raced as far north as Minnesota and as far south as Texas.”
Now Hagar is looking forward to his new role as Operations Manager of Tulsa Speedway.