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April 25, 2026 at 12:43 am
Tyler Carr Photo
The five-time World of Outlaws champion flexes his muscle with Silva Motorsports to continue a historic streak
Brad Sweet may be semi-retired from being behind the wheel, but he’s not slowing down.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series brought a huge field to Knoxville Raceway Friday, and the “Big Cat” looked like he was in his prime. More than 60 entries signed in, and Sweet delivered a masterclass aboard the Silva Motorsports No. 94.
The five-time Series champion started on the pole and never looked back. Sweet ripped through traffic as the laps clicked away. David Gravel surged into second early on in the Big Game Motorsports No. 2 and looked like he may give Sweet a challenge. But the Grass Valley, CA native made all the right moves on the way to Victory Lane.
“It felt difficult, but the bottom lane was just definitely a little faster,” Sweet said. “Lapped cars were hard. I was nervous coming here because Paul (Silva) and Trevor (Canales), they work so hard, and Kyle (Larson) has had so much success here I didn’t want to be the weak link. Just really happy to get them a win.”
Sweet extended a historic streak with his victory. He’s now won a World of Outlaws Feature in 15 straight seasons. That’s tied for the fourth longest such run. Sweet is up to 93 career victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt. He’s now come out on top three times in eight 410 Sprint Car starts this year. All of them have been with Paul Silva on the wrenches, though the first two were in Kevin Kozlowski’s No. W on the west coast with the Northern Auto Racing Club.
David Gravel came home runner-up to collect his 10th podium of the season and extend his lead atop the standings.
The reigning NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s champion, Ryan Timms, rounded out the podium in the Liebig Motorsports No. 10.
Brent Marks and J.J. Hickle completed the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
Buddy Kofoid collected his third Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night in 2026.
J.J. Hickle earned his first career Simpson Quick Time in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to Brent Marks (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Aaron Reutzel (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), David Gravel (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Emerson Axsom (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).
The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to J.J. Hickle.
Brad Sweet topped the Toyota Dash.
Garet Williamson won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Justin Henderson was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.
Sheldon Haudenschild took the KCP Racing No. 18 from 25th to 18th to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
Emerson Axsom’s top 10 earned him the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Brad Sweet clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Cole Macedo.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars take on the finale of Knoxville Raceway’s Premier Chevy Dealers Clash on Saturday, April 25. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.
FEATURE RESULTS:
NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 94-Brad Sweet[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[6]; 3. 10-Ryan Timms[4]; 4. 19-Brent Marks[7]; 5. 2M-JJ Hickle[3]; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel[8]; 7. 11-Justin Henderson[2]; 8. 83-Michael Kofoid[9]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz[12]; 10. 27-Emerson Axsom[5]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart[10]; 12. 41-Carson Macedo[11]; 13. 28-Jace Park[13]; 14. 24A-Rico Abreu[17]; 15. 7S-Chris Windom[18]; 16. 26-Justin Peck[14]; 17. 88-Austin McCarl[23]; 18. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[25]; 19. 23-Garet Williamson[21]; 20. 2C-Cole Macedo[15]; 21. 21-Brian Brown[20]; 22. 88T-Tanner Thorson[22]; 23. 13-Tanner Holmes[19]; 24. 6-Kasey Jedrzejek[24]; 25. (DNF) 5-Brenham Crouch[16]
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
