Sweet Collects 72nd Career Quick-Time Award

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.

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.

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.

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.

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