Sweet Secures Back-to-Back Podium Finishes in Wisconsin

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series made its first visit to Wisconsin of the 2023 season, and Brad Sweet and the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 team were there at Beaver Dam Raceway for two nights of competition. Sweet, the four-time and defending Outlaws champion, drove the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team to a podium finish on both Friday and Saturday nights, maintaining the points lead.

Friday marked night one of the Jim Boyd Memorial with 22 cars signed into competition. The No. 49 team welcomed the Mount Vernon NAPA Auto Parts hospitality group to Beaver Dam, including 50 guests, for an evening of highly anticipated racing action. It started with Sweet placed 16th in the qualifying order. The Big Cat hit the speed charts at 11.615 seconds, placing him fourth overall and second to start in his heat race.

The NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 started the 10-lap heat race on the outside of the front row. With an abundance of moisture in the racing surface — referred to as a “heavy” track — Sweet demonstrated remarkable control and held the second position, locking himself into the Fast Pass Dash.

Sweet drew the fourth starting position for the Dash and had eight laps to improve on that for the 30-lap main event. Skillfully maneuvering through traffic, the NAPA driver seized the opportunity to gain one position, putting himself on the inside of row two to start the feature.

With competitors lined up in pairs, the field took the green flag on Friday’s main event. Sweet showcased his determination and focus as he battled with his on-track rivals, closing on second-place runner David Gravel multiple times but unable to complete the pass. When the checkered flag flew, the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 crossed the line in third place to earn a spot on the podium.

The excitement continued on Saturday when Sweet and the No. 49 team returned to Beaver Dam with renewed determination. Facing different track conditions than the previous night, Sweet adjusted his racing strategy to adapt. The NAPA No. 49 was the fifth car of 24 to qualify, and the Big Cat laid down a lap time of 11.563 seconds, placing him third to start Heat Race 2.

Sweet was at a disadvantage at the start of the heat race and fell back to fourth place. He held that position to the finish and transferred directly to the feature with no chance to compete in the dash. The NAPA No. 49 lined up 11th to start the 40-lap feature, but it would soon be on the move. Sweet skillfully maneuvered through traffic and seized on opportunities to gain positions. By the time the checkered flag waved, the NAPA driver had climbed all the way to third, securing another podium finish and solidifying his status among the top drivers of the weekend. Sweet also claimed the Hard Charger Award for advancing eight positions during Saturday night’s feature.

Sweet has a 10-point lead in the Outlaws driver points heading into the Huset’s High Bank Nationals at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., beginning Wednesday, June 21.