Sweet Victory: NAPA No. 49 Charges to First Win of 2025
After a strong season opener in Las Vegas, the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team carried their momentum into California with three podiums in three races, including Brad Sweet’s first victory of the season. The reigning High Limit Racing champion is making the early statement that the NAPA No. 49 team has its sights locked on another title run.
On Wednesday night at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Sweet wasted no time showing speed in his home state. He qualified third in Flight A to secure the pole position for Heat 1. The NAPA No. 49 machine was untouchable, cruising to a heat race win and earning a spot in the Dash. With the High Limit Redraw Wheel setting him up in second, Sweet outran Rico Abreu to win the Dash, locking in the pole position for the A-Main Feature.
At the drop of the green, Sweet took control of the feature race, leading the first 11 laps before a caution reset the field. On the restart, Kyle Larson got by him, but Sweet kept the NAPA No. 49 in the fight up front, securing a strong, second-place finish to kick off the California swing.
Hungry for redemption on Friday night, Sweet came out firing at Kern Raceway in his first-ever race at the Bakersfield track. He topped Flight B qualifying, then powered from fourth to second in Heat 3 to secure another Dash appearance. A perfect spin on the redraw wheel put the NAPA No. 49 up front to start the Dash, and from there, Sweet never looked back. The NAPA driver led every lap to claim the Dash victory and earn the pole position for the Feature.
When the green flag waved on the Feature, it was all Sweet. The NAPA No. 49 dominated from start to finish, leading every single lap and parking it in Victory Lane for the first time in 2025, a statement win for the team.
To close out the weekend, Sweet and the NAPA No. 49 kept the momentum rolling at Perris Auto Speedway. A fourth-place qualifying effort led to another dominant heat race win, securing yet another Dash appearance. After drawing the fourth starting position for the Dash, Sweet maintained position, placing the NAPA machine on the second row to start the evening’s Feature.
With the track taking rubber early, passing opportunities were limited. Despite the conditions, Sweet brought the NAPA No. 49 home with another podium finish, coming to the checkered flag in third. That marked his fourth-straight podium to open the season.
With four podium finishes–including a win–in the first four races of the season, Sweet leads in the point standings. Although the season is young, the NAPA No. 49 team has already positioned itself as the team to beat.
Start / Finish:
Wednesday, March 19, Thunderbowl Raceway: 1 / 2
Friday, March 21, Kern Raceway: 1 / 1
Saturday, March 22, Perris Auto Speedway: 4/ 3
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 285 (+45)
Next Race: Friday, March 28, Central Arizona Raceway
How to Watch or Listen: FloRacing
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweetRacing
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt
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Kasey Kahne Racing View All
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 7 World of Outlaws and High Limit Racing Championships (Daryn Pittman in '13 and Brad Sweet in '19, '20, '21, '22, '23 & ‘24). In addition, Eric Prutzman has won Crew Chief of the year 3x (’19,’23 & ’24). Since the team's inception, KKR has amassed over 290+ national dirt car wins.