Sweet back on top USA v WA Sprintcar battle
Brad Sweet has reclaimed top spot by winning his second USA v WA Speedweek meeting at Bunbury on Saturday night.
Having won a thrilling night 2 at Perth, Sweet was back to his best in the fifth and penultimate round of the USA v WA where he charged from fifth and beat Trent Pigdon by 1.8s.
The five-time World of Outlaws champion treated the crowd to some of his finest work, charging from fifth to first within 10 laps.
Sweet said he knew the win was possible when his “car came alive” once the track slicked up.
“It was good. Bunbury is a little bit of a different track to the motorplex so it has been a bit tricky getting used to it,” he said.
“Last time we were here we had some mechanical issues and got bumped in the A Main but tonight we came out pretty strong.
“Once the track got slick the car came alive and I was able to make some moves.
“I felt really good and the car has been capable of winning each night so that is a testament to the Landrigan Motorsport team and I am enjoying it.”
Runner up Trent Pidgon, winner Brad Sweet and third place finisher Brock Zearfoss. Image: Richard Hathaway Photography
Sweet was in the mix early being second fastest in his qualifying group that was topped by Cory Eliason with the fastest time of the night at 13.255.
Fastest in the other groups were Brock Zearfoss and Callum Williamson, but there were at least a tenth off.
In the Heats the likes of Jamie Maiolo, Pigdon and Dayne Kingshott were victorious, while Sweet had to settle for fourth in the first eight-lap sprint.
He returned to the top three in the A Dash won by Maiolo as Pigdon also carried on his momentum with a B Dash victory.
Following the Midpack Madness and B Main events taken out by Kris Coyle and Jason Kendrick respectively, all was in readiness for the 30-lap A-Main.
Maiolo was on pole but lost track position to Pigdon early on as the #19 controlled the first 10 laps.
Trent Pigdon and Jason Pryde lead Brad Sweet and the field as heat acing begins at Bunbury. Image: Richard Hathaway Photography
But he was unable to build a comfortable lead however, as the race was only a lap old when Californian Cory Eliason crashed hard into the pits bend and the red lights arrived.
Eliason had shown pace throughout the night and was running third when it suddenly went wrong.
During these opening stages Sweet had already picked off both Kingshott and Zearfoss to charge into the top three.
The #U49 then had its sights set on Maiolo in second place and got the move done on lap eight.
Two laps later leader Pidgon was in the firing line and could do little as Sweet slid by.
Despite the threat of lapped traffic, Sweet was never under threat for the remainder of the race in a professional drive.
For Pidgon second place was still. Fine result being his best of the season and taking on some advice from James McFadden.
Zearfoss also held station to secure his first podium of the Speedweek series ahead of Maiolo and Kingshott.
American Rico Abreu won the Hard Charger award for securing sixth despite starting all the way down in 15th.
The final round of the USA v WA Speedweek will take centre stage at Perth Motorplex next Saturday night on January 13.
Image by Richard Hathaway Photography
USA v WA Speedweek round 5 results
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