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Sweet Collects 72nd Career Quick-Time Award

Brad Sweet Nittany Showdown 2023 NAPA Auto Parts 49

Brad Sweet added to his remarkable record of sprint car success when he earned the quick-time award at Port Royal Speedway on Friday night. Sweet and the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team arrived at the Pennsylvania track for the double-header Nittany Showdown, and Sweet wasted no time showing his speed.

Brad Sweet Nittany Showdown 2023 NAPA Auto Parts 49

In Friday qualifying, Sweet laid down time of 16.008 seconds, quickest of the session and the 72nd career quick-time award for the four-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion. That set the stage for heat race competition with the NAPA No. 49 slated to start first in Heat Race 1. Sweet held the top spot to the checkered flag, earning a spot in the Fast Pass Dash.

Brad Sweet Nittany Showdown 2023 NAPA Auto Parts 49

Despite drawing the seventh-place starting spot in the dash, the Big Cat got a great start and was able to move forward by one row, solidifying a sixth-place finish. The 25-lap feature that followed was filled with hard-fought battles. Sweet maneuvered the half-mile surface of Port Royal to the best of his ability and held on to the spot for a sixth-place finish in the first night of the Nittany Showdown.

Brad Sweet Nittany Showdown 2023 NAPA Auto Parts 49

As the sun set over Port Royal on Saturday night, Kasey Kahne Racing and NAPA Auto Parts combined efforts to host a 62-person hospitality group at the track. Attendees were treated to an exclusive experience complete with the thunderous sounds of engines roaring and the spectacular thrill of dirt track racing.

In Saturday qualifying, Sweet placed fourth in Flight A with a lap time of 17.134 seconds, setting the stage for another dramatic showdown. The NAPA driver impressed fans when he raced from a second-place start to the heat race win, earning his spot in the dash.  Sweet and the NAPA team started the dash from the front row in second and finished in the third spot.

Brad Sweet Nittany Showdown 2023 NAPA Auto Parts 49

As the 30-lap feature race unfolded, a twist of fate tested Sweet’s resolve. Despite a solid, third-place starting spot, the NAPA driver faced adversity as both the No. 49 machine and the track surface changed quickly. Ultimately, Sweet crossed the line in 11th place. It was a challenging moment, but the defending Outlaws champion’s determination never wavered, and he left Port Royal eager to return stronger next time.

Start / Finish:
Friday, October 6: 6 / 6
Saturday, October 7: 3 / 11
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 8,802 pts. (+68)

Next Race: Friday, Oct. 13, 81 Speedway, Wichita, Kansas
How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweetRacing
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt

Kasey Kahne Racing View All

Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR), located in Mooresville, NC, was formed in 2005 and employs more than ten people dedicated to sprint car racing. The organization fields two entries in the High Limit Sprint Car Series; Brad Sweet (NAPA No. 49) and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (No. 9). Collectively, KKR has 7 World of Outlaws and High Limit Racing Championships (Daryn Pittman in '13 and Brad Sweet in '19, '20, '21, '22, '23 & ‘24). In addition, Eric Prutzman has won Crew Chief of the year 3x (’19,’23 & ’24). Since the team's inception, KKR has amassed over 290+ national dirt car wins.

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