Sweet Stays Hot at the Stockyard Stampede

The NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team rolled into Texas last week ready to get dirty as usual, but with one special change: a unique gold design on the car to celebrate NAPA’s 100th anniversary. While Mother Nature wiped away the scheduled stop at Texarkana 67 Speedway on Tuesday night, the team shifted focus to the big stage at Texas Motor Speedway for the Stockyard Stampede with High Limit Racing.

The weekend was about more than just racing — it was a celebration. With NAPA commemorating its 100th year, the team proudly joined its fellow NAPA Racing programs with the stunning gold paint scheme during NASCAR’s weekend in Fort Worth. NAPA blue and gold permeated the events at Texas Motor Speedway.

Brad Sweet came out strong on Thursday night, qualifying fifth out of a competitive, 26-car field. That performance put the NAPA No. 49 on the pole for Heat 2, where Sweet cruised to the win and punched his ticket to the Dash. A redraw placed him third for the 6-lap shootout. He advanced to finish second, setting up a front-row starting spot for the night’s 25-lap Feature.

In a fast-paced, hammer-down main event, Sweet kept the pressure on race leader Brent Marks from start to finish. Despite a flawless run by Marks, Sweet and the NAPA No. 49 never fell out of striking distance, ultimately finishing second to kick off the weekend on the podium.

Thanks to Thursday’s runner-up finish, Sweet was locked into Saturday’s program and lined up fourth in Heat 2. A solid run to third earned another Dash appearance, with the redraw once again placing him third. Using the Dash to experiment with lines on the slicker surface, Sweet brought it home fifth. That set the stage for a fifth-place start in the 30-lap, $15,000-to-win main event.

The A-Main was an all-out chess match in lapped traffic, with the leaders running wide open from green to checkered with no cautions. Sweet made quick moves early to get to third, then held steady in a tightly contested battle with Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson. With little room for error and limited passing opportunities, Sweet brought the NAPA No. 49 across the line in third, earning another podium and valuable championship points.

Sweet’s consistency continues to shine, with seven podiums in the first eight High Limit events. The NAPA No. 49 team has extended its lead in the championship standings and remains the team to beat.

Start / Finish: 
Thursday, May 1: 2 / 2
Saturday, May 3: 5 / 3
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 567 pts. (+83)

Next Race: Wednesday, May 7, 81 Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: FloRacing

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