Sweet Delivers Electric Performance at Knoxville Raceway

Brad Sweet reclaimed the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship points lead driving the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 sprint car over the weekend at the famed Knoxville Raceway. The four-time and defending champion entered the weekend second in points, but a podium finish on Friday and a sixth-place finish Saturday at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World” allowed Sweet to regain the top spot in the standings.

Sweet and the NAPA team arrived at Knoxville on Friday among a field of 49 contenders. Sweet was 34th to qualify and placed eighth in Flight B. Due to split qualifying, that put the No. 49 fourth to start Heat Race 4. Displaying his racing prowess on the half-mile clay oval, Sweet moved from fourth up to second, claiming a spot in the Fast Pass Dash.

“Hats off to my team for giving me a good car to get a good start there and got into second,” Sweet said, drawing the third starting position for the dash. “Didn’t feel great once we got there but made enough good laps, trying to search with our race car to get a little better.”

When the green flag dropped on the dash, Sweet searched for an exceptional line but fell back to fifth before the finish, lining him up fifth to start the 25-lap main event.

Sweet showcased his talent battling the top sprint car drivers at the historic venue and made his way up to second. The NAPA driver searched different lines as he chased down the leader. Coming to the checkered flag, Sweet tried the high line, allowing third-place runner Rico Abreu to pass for second. The No. 49 crossed the line in third, securing Sweet’s 12th podium finish of the season.

The NAPA Auto Parts team returned to the track on Saturday with a resolve to conquer the competition. Lined up 43rd among 48 cars set to qualify, Sweet stopped the clock at 15.632 seconds, placing him sixth in Flight B. The qualifying result gave Sweet the third position to start Heat Race 4. At the start of the heat race, the NAPA driver attempted to overtake for third but got caught behind the car ahead, allowing the fifth-place competitor to make a pass. Sweet finished fourth and was slated to start the 25-lap feature from the 16th spot.

When the feature went green, Sweet set a high bar for his competitors. He weaved through the pack, overtaking rivals one by one. As the laps dwindled, the NAPA driver remained focused and earned a sixth-place finish.

Start / Finish:
Friday, June 9: 5 / 3
Saturday, June 10: 16 / 6
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 3,908 pts. (+14)

Next Race: June 16, Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, WI
How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweet49
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt