Sweet Extends Points Lead at 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions
Brad Sweet, driver of the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, wasn’t far from home this weekend at the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions presented by Riebes NAPA Auto Parts. The event at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., is about 75 miles from Sweet’s home town of Grass Valley. While Sweet came up short of the win and its $25,000 payday, the four-time and defending Outlaws champion extended his points lead with a top-five finish Saturday night.
The on-track action began Thursday for Sweet and his Kasey Kahne Racing teammates. In qualifying, the Big Cat posted the fifth-quickest time overall with a 12.108-second lap, setting the tone for a competitive weekend. In Heat Race 1, Sweet started in fifth and maintained the position to the end after battling with competitor Carson Macedo for the final transfer spot. The NAPA driver earned it and transferred straight into the main event. Sweet then needed to gain as many points as possible to improve his starting position in Saturday’s heat race. He held his position throughout the race and secured a solid, fifth-place finish.
Saturday brought a chance for Sweet to not only claim a $25,000 prize but also to finally be crowned Gold Cup champion at the crown jewel event hosted at his and Kyle Larson’s home track. In the heat race, Sweet exhibited his prowess by starting in the second spot and maintaining the position for a second-place finish. This set the stage for the feature event in which fans would witness an exciting spectacle of racing.
Starting from the ninth spot, Sweet showcased his skills by steadily advancing through the field. He moved forward with determination and skill to score a fifth-place finish at the checkered flag, making him the top contending Outlaws driver in the top five. Sweet leaves the Gold Cup on top of the standings, with an 82 point lead on his second place competitor.
Start / Finish:
Thursday, Sept. 7: 5 / 5
Saturday, Sept. 9: 9 / 5
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 7,596 pts. (+82)
Next Race: Friday, Sept. 15, Kings Speedway, Hanford, Calif.
How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweetRacing
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt
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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 6 World of Outlaws Championships (Daryn Pittman in '13 and Brad Sweet in '19, '20, '21, '22 & '23). Since the team's inception, KKR has amassed over 285+ dirt car wins.