EVERYTHING HE NEEDED: Brad Sweet sweeps Independence Day Spectacular

Brad Sweet took a quick glance at his right rear and shouted, “Woo! That’s all you need.”

With little tread left to spare, the reigning World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion’s tires propelled him to his third consecutive win at Cedar Lake Speedway Saturday night – sweeping the two $20,000-to-win Independence Day Spectacular Features.

“We had two unbelievable cars this weekend,” said Sweet during the historic CBS Sports Network broadcasted event. “I can’t thank my (Kasey Kahne Racing) guys enough for all of the hard work. It might look easy but I’m telling you this is a lot of stress; a lot of hard work and it’s paying off.”

While Sweet had to fight his way from ninth to the lead – further back than the night before when he went from seventh to the win – his NAPA Auto Parts #49 car still appeared to be in a different league. He had everything he needed. A good team. A good car. Good tires. And a head full of confidence.

However, his night didn’t start that way. Sweet’s name was rarely mentioned throughout most of the event. With a third-place finish in his Drydene Heat Race, Sweet was one spot short again of making the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, placing him ninth in the lineup for the 35-lap Feature.

David Gravel positioned himself as the early favorite by winning the Dash and claiming the pole for the Feature. With a large crowd of fans in attendance – who all passed through a state-of-the-art COVID-19 screening – and thousands more watching on CBS Sports Network, Gravel led the 24-car field to the green flag and pulled away.

His straightaway lead was cut to nothing when a caution came out for Scotty Thiel slowing on track on Lap 4. That positioned second-place Kerry Madsen to his outside and third-place Sheldon Haudenschild behind him on the restart. Gravel was able to pull away from the field again, but when he hit slower traffic a few laps later Madsen and Haudenschild closed in.

Their battle was like a yo-yo with Madsen closing in on Gravel and then fading back. Haudenschild would close on Madsen and then fade back. The three drivers did this for the next 10 laps before Kraig Kinser entered the picture.

Kinser worked his way by Haudenschild for third on Lap 18 and then got by Madsen for second 10 laps later. At the same time, Sweet made his presence known. Rolling around the bottom, Sweet worked his way through the field and passed Haudenschild for fourth with about nine laps to go. He almost stole third and second from Madsen and Kinser shortly after before a caution came out.

Sweet continued his masterclass of running the bottom on the restart and made quick work on Madsen and Kinser.

With seven to go, he passed Madsen for third. With six to go he passed Kinser for second. And with four laps to go, Sweet was at Gravel’s bumper.

Gravel was committed to the top, as it hadn’t served him wrong all race. But with three laps to go, Sweet passed him around the bottom like his Jason Johnson Racing #41 was down a cylinder. He then had to watch Sweet put his car on cruise control and drive away with the win – forcing Gravel to remain winless at the 3/8-mile track and take his sixth second-place finish there.

“After that first caution I didn’t know where to run,” Gravel said. “(Crew chief) Philip Dietz was telling me where to go. We were good on the restarts and I thought I felt the best on the top… We’ve just got more work to do. We really want to get a win. We’ve been struggling bad. A second and a fourth (for the weekend) is nothing to hang your head about, but when you lead these many laps you want to win.”

If you ask Sweet, he didn’t think he’d get to Gravel.

“The track started more wet than everyone thought and we were extremely tight,” Sweet said. “I felt like I was in a non-wing car there a few times. I was just trying to bide my time, you know, trying to realize it’s a long race and hope the cautions play into my favor. But when you have that good of a car, you can go on different parts of the racetrack than other guys.”

The win is Sweet’s fourth at Cedar Lake Speedway and seventh this season in 19 starts – his 57th career World of Outlaws win overall. The Independence Day weekend event is also the second event this year that he’s swept.

While Kraig Kinser missed out on the win, his third-place finish is his first top-five of the year and his first podium finish since a second-place finish at Skagit Speedway in August.

“We’ve been fast all weekend,” Kinser said. “We learned a little bit of what not to do during the Friday show. We were fortunate to capitalize on a good qualifying show. I got really good through the center of that race and probably got a little aggressive and I really think during that long run I might have heated my tires and blistered them up a little bit… The [Mesilla Valley Transportation] car was just rolling around good and was a dream to run tonight.”

Along with having everything he needed to pick up the win and $40,000 between the two-day show, Sweet also extended his points lead again – now 114 points ahead of second-place Logan Schuchart. Ten-time Series champion Donny Schatz remains third – now 116 points back. Both Schuchart and Schatz had a rough night, suffering flat right rear tires. Schatz finished 14th and Schuchart finished 16th.

UP NEXT

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will continue its 2020 tour on Friday, July 10 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Get tickets for the event by clicking here.

Then, on Saturday, July 11 the Series returns Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, WI. Get tickets by clicking here.

And on Sunday, July 12 the Series returns to Terre Haute Action track in Terre Haute, IN. Get tickets by clicking here.

RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps) – 1. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$20,000]; 2. 41-David Gravel [1][$7,500]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3][$4,200]; 4. 14-Parker Price-Miller [7][$2,800]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,300]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [5][$2,200]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$2,100]; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman [12][$2,050]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$2,000]; 11. 2CS-Shane Stewart [15][$1,500]; 12. 17B-Bill Balog [17][$1,200]; 13. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$1,100]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [16][$1,000]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$1,000]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,000]; 18. 73AF-Paul Nienhiser [19][$1,000]; 19. 64-Scotty Thiel [14][$1,000]; 20. 33-James Broty [22][$1,000]; 21. 2C-Wayne Johnson [18][$1,000]; 22. 7-Tim Kaeding [11][$1,000]; 23. 73-Jake Blackhurst [24][$1,000]; 24. 6-Bill Rose [23][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-31, Brad Sweet 32-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+8] 

Qualifying – 1. 41-David Gravel, 11.69; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.769; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 11.838; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.883; 5. 2-Carson Macedo, 11.969; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.983; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.992; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.076; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman, 12.128; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.141; 11. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.167; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.196; 13. 73AF-Paul Nienhiser, 12.238; 14. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.253; 15. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.278; 16. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 12.281; 17. 14-Parker Price-Miller, 12.291; 18. 7-Tim Kaeding, 12.323; 19. 6-Bill Rose, 12.334; 20. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.37; 21. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.41; 22. 2CS-Shane Stewart, 12.483; 23. 33M-Mason Daniel, 12.594; 24. 73-Jake Blackhurst, 12.594; 25. 97-Alan Gilbertson, 12.647; 26. 33-James Broty, 12.814; 27. 2K-Kevin Ingle, 13.129; 28. 3-Tony Kaus, 13.413; 29. 29-Hunter Custer, 13.606; 30. 18S-Bryce Schmitt, 13.753

[Read More]

Independence Day Spectacular
Saturday, July 04, 2020
Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017 

Event Description
They come together to open and close the season, but for the first time in its storied history, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models will join together mid-season to celebrate Race Fans’ Independence Day on July 2-3-4 at Cedar Lake Speedway in the first major American sports event contested with a full crowd since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sporting world.

Spectacular fireworks display, along with a thrilling Dare Devil motorcycle display by Ill Conduct's Cole Freeman on Saturday evening! Plus after-party festivities.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$20,000.00

Feature Laps Length
35

Event Schedule
Pit Gates:
Thursday: 1pm
Friday: 2pm
Saturday: 2pm

Grandstand Gates:
Thursday: 5pm
Friday: 4pm
Saturday: 3pm

Racing:
Thursday: 7:00pm
Friday: 7:30pm
Saturday: 5:00pm

*All times Central

Related Documents
 https://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/page/show/1911074-world-of-outlaw-showdown

Ticket Phone
(612) 363-0479

Options And Prices
Advanced Adult 3-Day- $119.00
Advanced Adult 2-Day- $99.00
Adult GA - Thursday- $29.00
Adult GA - Friday- $49.00
Adult GA - Saturday- $49.00
Senior - Thursday- $28.00
Senior - Friday- $38.00
Senior - Saturday- $38.00
Kids - Thursday- $20.00
Kids - Friday- $20.00
Kids - Saturday- $20.00
Kids - (12 & Under) – GA- FREE
VIP- $199.00
Ramp - Thursday- $40.00
Ramp - Friday- $60.00
Ramp - Saturday- $60.00

Camping (Weekend Package)- $50.00

Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
Bleachers / chairbacks

Reserved Seating
Yes

Family Section Location
all areas are family friendly

Handicapped Seating Location
Both sides of stadium have wheel chair accessible seating

Pit Pass Price
Adult Pit - 3-Day $130.00; Adult Pit Member- 3-Day $110.00; Adult Pit - Day 1 $35.00; Adult Pit - Day 2 $55.00; Adult Pit - Day 3 $55.00; Upgrades from G.A. to Pit $5.00

Pit Age Requirement
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Parking Cost
$0.00

Handicapped Parking Location
Outside the front gate

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

To Win Amount
$20,000.00

Reserved Seating
Yes

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers / chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed.

Handicapped Seating
Both sides of stadium have wheel chair accessible seating

Handicapped Parking
Outside the front gate

Pit Age Limit
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Personal Coolers
Coolers are permitted at the speedway, however you are NOT ALLOWED to bring in any alcoholic beverages or glass containers.

ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
Beer and wine will be available to purchase

Smoking Policy
No smoking in Grandstands

Family Section
all areas are family friendly

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017 

Track Phone
(715) 248-7119

Ticket Phone
(612) 363-0479

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.375

Sprint Car Track Record
10.775 seconds by Terry McCarl on 9/11/04

Late Model Track Record
12.950 by Shannon Babb on 8/3/23

Closest Airport
Minneapolis, MN (MSP / KMSP) Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Other Airport
Eau Claire, WI (EAU / KEAU) Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series

Technical/Safety Rules:
Will be under the guidelines of the 2020 World of Outlaws Late Model Rulebook
{Heat races, Last Chance Showdowns, and Feature you will get one (1) pound per lap burn-off. (Not in Qualifying)}

Tire Rule: (Hoosier Tire: LM30 & W30 on all four (4) corners. LM40 RR Option.)
{Grooving and Siping is Allowed}

Work Area:
Outside Turn 2 all weekend long
2 laps for flat tires only

Driver Radio
454.0000

Race Control
451.9250


World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars

Technical/Safety Rules:
Will be under the guidelines of the 2020 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Rulebook