SAME SWEET, DIFFERENT DAY: The Big Cat Sweeps I-55 for Fourth Straight Win
Brad Sweet said “winning gives you more confidence.” With that theory, you’d think he has every ounce of confidence in the world. Because he just doesn’t lose of late.
On Saturday, he led all 40 laps at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 to sweep the weekend and extend his career-best winning streak to four consecutive features with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. It’s his fifth win of the year through 11 races aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49.
The two-time and defending Series champion still has an underdog-like mentality and it’s driving him to victory lane on a nightly basis.
“I feel like everyone still kind of thinks of us as the underdog, so maybe they’ll give us some credit now,” Sweet said with a smirk. “We feel really good right now. Winning give you more confidence. I’m in a good place as a race car driver, the car is handling great, and this crew is doing an amazing job. We came from ninth last night and did it from the pole tonight, so we’ve won from both spectrums.”
Earning the pole position following his win in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, the odds were already stacked against Sweet, as no pole-sitter had won all year with the World of Outlaws. He and the KKR #49 crew were motivated to snap that streak and extend their own, though.
The Grass Valley, CA native led the opening lap and never relinquished command, extending another streak to 62 consecutive feature laps led. His Saturday night sweep wasn’t without challenge, though, as Gio Scelzi and Sheldon Haudenschild both kept him honest.
Scelzi had a shot through the opening stages and got close on Lap nine with the aid of lap traffic, but the savviness of Sweet’s finesse though the back-markers was too much to bare. When Scelzi faltered, Haudenschild rose to second and came within six-tenths of Sweet’s #49, but again his moves in traffic separated himself from the rest.
A Lap 25 red flag for Tucker Klaasmeyer was the only stoppage of the race and set up a double-file restart, but it could do no harm in slowing Sweet’s roll.
He cruised around the cushion just inches off the wall and then dipped low, slid through the middle, and made all the right moves through the last 15 laps to run off with a victory by 1.937-seconds. It was the 63rd of his World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series career.
“We were off at the end last night, but tonight we made a small change and it was much better,” Sweet noted on his setup. “I felt like I had more grip and could move around in traffic with more ease. That’s the key to winning these; even when you win, you have to come back better the next night. It’s been through 11 races, but it’s an 83-race schedule. We want to enjoy these, but our heads are down and we’re looking to win a lot more of these.”
Extending his own record streak, Sheldon Haudenschild finished second to earn a career-best seventh-straight top five finish in his Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17.
“Brad was just on top of this weekend,” Haudenschild spoke on challenging Sweet. “They’re the guys to beat right now and we’re chasing them as hard we can. The car was really good, but we’ll keep working on it to try and get better. We’ve got some good tracks coming up, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Rounding out the podium with his second top-three finish of the year was Gio Scelzi in the KCP Racing #18. After going second-quick, they recovered from an engine change to deliver another strong finish.
“I ran as hard as I could for 40 laps,” Scelzi said on chasing Sweet. “He just makes such good moves through traffic, he’s hard to keep up with. We were a third-place car and a third-place driver tonight. It’s honestly relieving though. We were good in qualifying, good in the heat, and good in the feature. Feels like forever since Ive been here on the podium at Volusia.”
Logan Schuchart scored his 11th top-ten finish in 11 races by virtue of a fourth-place run for his Shark Racing, Drydene Performance Products #1S. Following him was James McFadden with his second top-five of the year in the Kasey Kahne Racing, Karavan Trailers #9.
Closing out the top ten at I-55 was Slick Woody’s QuickTime qualifier David Gravel, Kraig Kinser continuing his hot start, Carson Macedo with another consistent finish, Aaron Reutzel racking up another top-ten, and Jason Sides with his first top-ten of the season.
UP NEXT – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars will face an Indiana doubleheader next weekend. The Greatest Show on Dirt heads to Kokomo Speedway on Friday, April 9 and then Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, April 10.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (40 Laps) – 1. 49-Brad Sweet (1); 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild (4); 3. 18-Giovanni Scelzi (2); 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart (7); 5. 9-James McFadden (15); 6. 2-David Gravel (5); 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser (8); 8. 41-Carson Macedo (10); 9. 83-Aaron Reutzel (3); 10. 7S-Jason Sides (6); 11. 15-Donny Schatz (17); 12. 19-Parker Price-Miller (18); 13. 24-Rico Abreu (13); 14. 21-Brian Brown (14); 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. (9); 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss (24); 17. 73-Scotty Thiel (11); 18. 1A-Jacob Allen (12); 19. 35-Zach Hampton (16); 20. 21S-Carson Short (23); 21. 33M-Mason Daniel (22); 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson (20); 23. 3-Ayrton Gennetten (19); 24. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer (21).
NEW Championship Standings (11/83 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (-); 2. Logan Schuchart (-46); 3. Sheldon Haudenschild (-72); 4. David Gravel (-80); 5. Carson Macedo (-116); 6. Donny Schatz (-122); 7. Aaron Reutzel (-122); 8. Kraig Kinser (-198); 9. Giovanni Scelzi (-216); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-262).
[Read More]| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 40 | 0.000 | 40 | Running | 150 | $10,000 |
| 2 | 4 | +2 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 146 | $6,000 | |
| 3 | 2 | -1 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 144 | $3,500 | |
| 4 | 7 | +3 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 142 | $2,800 | |
| 5 | 15 | +10 | 9 | James McFadden | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 140 | $2,500 | |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | 2 | David Gravel | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 138 | $2,300 | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 136 | $2,200 | |
| 8 | 10 | +2 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 134 | $2,100 | |
| 9 | 3 | -6 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 132 | $2,050 | |
| 10 | 6 | -4 | 7S | Jason Sides | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 130 | $2,000 | |
| 11 | 17 | +6 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 40 | 0.000 | Running | 128 | $1,600 | |
| 12 | 18 | +6 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | 39 | -1 Laps | Running | 126 | $1,400 | |
| 13 | 13 | 0 | 24 | Rico Abreu | 39 | -1 Laps | Running | 124 | $1,200 | |
| 14 | 14 | 0 | 21 | Brian Brown | 39 | -1 Laps | Running | 122 | $1,100 | |
| 15 | 9 | -6 | 15H | Sam Hafertepe Jr | 39 | -1 Laps | Running | 120 | $1,050 | |
| 16 | 24 | +8 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 118 | $1,000 | |
| 17 | 11 | -6 | 73 | Scotty Thiel | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 116 | $1,000 | |
| 18 | 12 | -6 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 114 | $1,000 | |
| 19 | 16 | -3 | 35 | Zach Hampton | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 112 | $1,000 | |
| 20 | 23 | +3 | 21S | Carson Short | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 110 | $1,000 | |
| 21 | 22 | +1 | 33M | Mason Daniel | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 108 | $1,000 | |
| 22 | 20 | -2 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 38 | -2 Laps | Running | 106 | $1,000 | |
| 23 | 19 | -4 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 23 | -17 Laps | DNF | 104 | $1,000 | |
| 24 | 21 | -3 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 23 | -17 Laps | DNF | 102 | $1,000 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 4 | +2 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 6 | +3 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | 33M | Mason Daniel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 21S | Carson Short | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 6 | 7 | +1 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 98 | Clinton Boyles | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 8 | 3 | -5 | 20G | Noah Gass | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 3 | +1 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 5 | +2 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 8 | +3 | 24 | Rico Abreu | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 3 | -3 | 35 | Zach Hampton | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 9 | +2 | 20G | Noah Gass | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 6 | -2 | 33M | Mason Daniel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 9 | 7 | -2 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 73 | Scotty Thiel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 21 | Brian Brown | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 7 | +1 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 5 | -2 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 21S | Carson Short | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 98 | Clinton Boyles | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 3 | +1 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 2 | -1 | 15H | Sam Hafertepe Jr | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 9 | James McFadden | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 7 | -1 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| POS | Start | Car | Driver | Hometown | Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | 2 | David Gravel | Watertown, CT | 10.217 | 0.000 |
| 2 | 3 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | Fresno, CA | 10.276 | -0.059 |
| 3 | 1 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | Clute, TX | 10.286 | -0.069 |
| 4 | 12 | 7S | Jason Sides | Bartlett, TN | 10.334 | -0.117 |
| 5 | 14 | 49 | Brad Sweet | Grass Valley, CA | 10.353 | -0.136 |
| 6 | 7 | 15H | Sam Hafertepe Jr | Sunnyvale, TX | 10.360 | -0.143 |
| 7 | 5 | 35 | Zach Hampton | Mooresville, IN | 10.378 | -0.161 |
| 8 | 10 | 73 | Scotty Thiel | Sheboygan, WI | 10.382 | -0.165 |
| 9 | 26 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | Wooster, OH | 10.383 | -0.166 |
| 10 | 11 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA | 10.387 | -0.170 |
| 11 | 23 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | Bloomington, IN | 10.404 | -0.187 |
| 12 | 4 | 1A | Jacob Allen | Hanover, PA | 10.415 | -0.198 |
| 13 | 22 | 41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA | 10.474 | -0.257 |
| 14 | 19 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | Versailles, MO | 10.475 | -0.258 |
| 15 | 18 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | Kokomo, IN | 10.476 | -0.259 |
| 16 | 2 | 33M | Mason Daniel | Springville, CA | 10.480 | -0.263 |
| 17 | 21 | 21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO | 10.526 | -0.309 |
| 18 | 9 | 9 | James McFadden | Alice Springs, NT | 10.528 | -0.311 |
| 19 | 15 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | Jonestown, PA | 10.554 | -0.337 |
| 20 | 25 | 15 | Donny Schatz | Fargo, ND | 10.563 | -0.346 |
| 21 | 17 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | Paola, KS | 10.635 | -0.418 |
| 22 | 8 | 24 | Rico Abreu | St. Helena, CA | 10.676 | -0.459 |
| 23 | 20 | 21S | Carson Short | Marion, IL | 10.697 | -0.480 |
| 24 | 24 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | Oklahoma City, OK | 10.757 | -0.540 |
| 25 | 6 | 20G | Noah Gass | Mounds, OK | 10.769 | -0.552 |
| 26 | 13 | 98 | Clinton Boyles | Greenwood, MO | 10.930 | -0.713 |
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars
Saturday, April 03, 2021
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
1540 Herky-Horine
Pevely, Missouri 63070
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Support Divisions
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
To Win Amount
$10,000.00
Event Schedule
Pits- 2 PM
Tickets- 5 PM
Front Gate- 5 PM
Hot Laps- 6 PM
Qualifying- 6:30 PM
Opening 7:20 PM
*All times Central
(844) 347-8849
Options And Prices
2-Day Adult GA: $80
2-Day Kids GA (12 and under): $20
Single Day Adult GA: $40
Single Day Kids GA (12 and under): $10
Discounts
None
Grandstand Type
Bleachers
Reserved Seating
There is no reserved seats for this event
Family Section Location
None
Handicapped Seating Location
End of all bleachers
Pit Pass Price
Pit pass: $45 daily
Pit Age Requirement
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver
Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance
Handicapped Parking Location
In front of Main Gate
Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite
Camping Cost
Call track for details
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
To Win Amount
$10,000.00
Reserved Seating
There is no reserved seats for this event
Type of Grandstand
Bleachers
Stadium Seating
Stadium chairs allowed
Handicapped Seating
End of all bleachers
Handicapped Parking
In front of Main Gate
Pit Age Limit
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver
Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance
Personal Coolers
No personal coolers allowed
ATMs
1
Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available for sale at the track
Smoking Policy
No smoking in grandstands
Family Section
None
Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite
Camping Cost
Call track for details
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
1540 Herky-Horine
Pevely, Missouri 63070
Track Phone
(636) 479-3219
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849
Track Email
[email protected]
Track Size
0.333
Track Type
High-banked bullring
Sprint Car Track Record
9.995 seconds by Kyle Larson on 5/22/20
Late Model Track Record
12.081 seconds by Billy Moyer on 6/23/07
Closest Airport
Festus
Other Airport
St. Louis
Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance
Track Map
PEVELY POWERHOUSE: Donny Schatz Drives Away to I-55 World of Outlaws Victory
BIG GAME BEATDOWN: David Gravel Leads Every Lap for 
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: Why I-55 Always Delivers Exciting Racing
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Two Nights of I-55 Action on Tap for World of Outlaws
2024 SCHEDULE: 86-Night Calendar Highlighted by Crown Jewels, New Tracks, Returning Favorites
IRONMAN FOR THE AGES: Kyle Larson Tops Wild Duel with Schuchart for Ironman 55 Title
CONFIDENCE FORGED: Spencer Bayston Breaks Winless Streak With I-55 Victory
