Brad Sweet Ready For WoO Kickoff
Story By: BRANDAN CAPERIA / WOO SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: DICK AYERS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
CONCORD, N.C. —February 16, 2017- In recent seasons Brad Sweet has proven to be a fast starter in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competition.
Last year Sweet collected a pair of victories and a second-place finish in three races at the half-mile dirt track. He’s won four of the last nine WoO features at the track. He’ll have plenty of confidence when the series kicks off the season Friday night.
“I think for whatever reason, Volusia is just a track that suits my driving style,” Sweet said. “I just really enjoy racing there and we’ve always been fast there. But it’s also a testament to our team. Whenever you can come right out of the box the first couple races and have that speed in your race car — timing well and winning races — it’s a testament to how much preparation over the offseason Kasey Kahne Racing does.”
A change of crew chiefs with the Kasey Kahne Racing teams during the offseason pairs Sweet with Kale Kahne.
“Kale and I have a past,” said Sweet, who worked with him sparingly in 2011. “It’s not like we’re going into it not knowing each other. Since Kale took over the No. 9 car, I’ve been around him the whole time. It’s not going to be anything crazy. He’s just going to have to adapt a little bit to me and I’m going to have to adapt a little bit to him.”
Sweet will not only try to better his near-perfect record at DIRTcar Nationals, but also carry the momentum to the rest of the season. To prepare for the some-90 races in a rigorous schedule, Kasey Kahne Racing and NAPA Auto Parts will debut their partnership at Volusia. In December, the two inked a deal for 42 races.
“It’s great for everybody – for myself, Kasey Kahne Racing and the sport of sprint car racing,” Sweet said. “NAPA is such a recognizable company that everybody knows it’s a huge part of motorsports and the auto industry. So anytime a company like that is willing to come into our sport and sponsor a race team, I think it says a lot about how far the World of Outlaws has come, how far sprint car racing has come and how professional Kasey Kahne Racing is to have a sponsor like that. I’m just honored to be able to represent the blue colors and hopefully we’ll put that NAPA car in victory lane.”
