Sweet Dominates Action-Packed Race at I-55

Brad Sweet executed a dominant performance Friday at I-55 Raceway in his 15th appearance at the 1/3-mile track in Pevely, Mo. The win moved the four-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion and driver of the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 sprint car into second in the standings. Sweet now counts six wins and 13 podium finishes, eight of which are consecutive, on his Pevely record.

The NAPA No. 49 team arrived at I-55 among 34 cars signed in to competition and slated fifth to make a qualifying run. Stopping the clock at 10.444 seconds placed Sweet second overall and first to start Heat Race 2. Rolling from the front row, the No. 49 took off when the green flag dropped on the heat race, and it was all Brad Sweet from there. The dominant performance and heat race win earned Sweet a spot in the Fast Pass Dash.

“We’ve had a really good NAPA Auto Parts car here [at I-55] for a year or two now, so it’s good to build and add upon that notebook,” Sweet said during the dash draw. “The track is a little different tonight. [Turn] three and four is definitely a little slicker than we have seen it in a long time… 40 long laps, so hopefully we can nail the setup and get another win here at I-55.”

Drawing the second starting position in the dash placed the NAPA No. 49 on the outside of the front row. Sweet went high on the start, carrying significant momentum and sliding up to competitor David Gravel for the lead. Gravel came right back up to reclaim the top spot, and Sweet stayed close behind, holding second until they crossed the checkers.

When the time came for the evening’s 40-lap feature, Sweet again lined up on the outside of the front row on the high banks of I-55. When the caution lights went out and the green flag waved, Sweet struggled on the initial start and fell back to third. On lap 26, leader Gravel and second-place runner Carson Macedo chose the low line while Sweet went high. Gravel and Macedo made contact, allowing Sweet to rip past on the top and bringing out the caution. Sweet had the lead went the race went back to green and proved that no one could catch the No. 49 in clean air. With a dominating lead at the checkered flag, Sweet claimed another I-55 victory.

“Just happy to get the NAPA Auto Parts car in victory lane,” Sweet said after the win. “Especially here, with it being our competition’s race track, it’s definitely fun to get the NAPA Auto Parts car in victory lane at these places. Hats off to my guys; we have been incredibly consistent and good here at Pevely.”

Saturday’s scheduled event at I-55 was rained out. The World of Outlaws return to action Friday, April 21 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.

Start / Finish: 2 / 1
Points Standing / Total: 2nd / 1,814 pts. (-12)

Next Race: Friday, April 21, Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, Iowa
How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com

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