Brad Sweet nips Kyle Larson at I-55

Brad Sweet

Trent Gower photo

Brad Sweet’s win Friday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 was a return to form for the reigning champion after a disappointing return at Knoxville, but it came with a challenge.

A challenge from his own brother-in-law Kyle Larson.

There was no family love in their battle. Both wanted the win just as bad as the other, racing clean but hard. However, the reigning champion made the right move at the right time to hold off Larson to win the first night of the Drydene Double Down Invitational against a star-studded field and in front of a limited crowd of fans in the stands — the first return of fans at a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race since February.

“That was a lot of fun," Sweet said. “Kyle is an unbelievable talent. He’s my brother-in-law, but he makes me earn these wins dammit… It’s a lot of fun to see fans back in the stands. It’s not a lot of fun to win in front of empty grandstands. Hopefully the crowds keep getting bigger and bigger."

RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps)

1. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$6,000]
2. 57-Kyle Larson [4][$3,000]
3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,300]
4. 71-Shane Stewart [2][$2,000]
5. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][$1,850]
6. 41-David Gravel [8][$1,750]
7. 15-Donny Schatz [11][$1,550]
8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$1,350]
9. 21-Brian Brown [7][$1,250]
10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [16][$1,100]
11. 26-Cory Eliason [12][$1,000]
12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [18][$950]
13. 83-Daryn Pittman [13][$900]
14. 13-Paul McMahan [9][$850]
15. 14-Parker Price-Miller [23][$800]
16. 48-Danny Dietrich [17][$750]
17. 7S-Jason Sides [14][$700]
18. 9-Kasey Kahne [20][$700]
19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$700]
20. 6-Bill Rose [25][$]
21. 64-Scotty Thiel [6][$700]
22. 51-Freddie Rahmer [15][$700]
23. 83R-Lynton Jeffrey [24][$700]
24. 4-Terry McCarl [19][$700]
25. 2-Carson Macedo [10][$700]
Lap Leaders: Jacob Allen 1-9; Brad Sweet 10-24, 26-30; Kyle Larson 25
KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+13]