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(Chico,
CA 12-27-04)…Soon to be nineteen-year-old driver Brad Sweet got an
early birthday present as the California resident will soon call Indiana home.
Sweet, who will celebrate his birthday on New Year’s Eve in
Australia
, has confirmed an agreement with
North Carolina
resident and car owner Eric Barnhill. The
two plan on running the entire non-wing sprint car National USAC dirt schedule
in 2005 along with other special non-wing events.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said a jubilant Sweet.
“Ever since I stepped into my first go-kart this is where I wanted to
be, living in
Indiana
and trying to start a racing career for myself.”
He follows in the footsteps of many current USAC stars from
California
who has transplanted their roots to
Indiana
. Drivers like Josh Wise, Jay Drake
and Bud Kaeding all have paved the way for young Brad Sweet.
This is something new for both driver and car owner.
Barnhill is an
Auburn
,
CA
native, though the Marine Corps have volunteered him to hail from
Jacksonville
,
NC
where he is continuing to serve our Country.
Barnhill’s involvement with sprint cars comes from a family rich in
Northern California
racing. Barnhill has also been
involved with the likes of “Mr. Excitement” Andy Forsberg, former Western
States Sprint Car Rookie of the year Tyler Haylett and USAC star Josh Wise.
Barnhill has appropriately called his team Five Eights Racing, a name
given to him by fellow sprint car fans because of the wrench he always carried
in his back pocket.
The team will keep the car in
Indiana
for most of the season and will sport the number 53.
The car will stay at DCR chassis in
Indiana
. The car itself is a DCR chassis
with additional support from JB Racing Components in
Loomis
,
CA
. Plans include landing a primary
sponsor to help support this endeavor. There
is also hope that Sweet can land a pavement deal or midget ride while back in
Indiana
to showcase his enormous driving ability and potential.
Sweet has gained a huge fan
following in Northern and
Southern California
. The first impression of him might
make most people take a second look to make sure he is really the driver.
He stands 5’ 4” and weighs 110lbs soaking wet.
However, don’t let his stature fool you.
He is one of the brightest and fearless open wheel drivers in the
country. He was named one of Flat
Out Magazines top 25 drivers under the age of 25.
He was nominated for National 360 Sprint Car driver of the Year in 2003.
He finished third in the tough Civil War Series in
Northern California
and won a main event at Placerville Speedway.
He made his first non wing sprint car trip to Perris Auto Speedway a
memorable one when he finished in the top ten on Thursdays main event and
ultimately completed the weekend by racing in Saturday nights prestigious Oval
Nationals Main Event. He did so
well at the event that many fans of non-wing racing fans, raised money for him
to come back down three weeks later for the Jack Kindoll Classic just so they
could watch him again. Perris Auto
Speedway announcer Scott Lee Daloisio could be heard calling Sweet
“fearless” and “impressive” during the two weekends of racing.
Currently Sweet is in
Australia
enjoying “down under” racing. He
plans on racing a select few events but for sure will race the Classic held at
Premier Speedway on Jan 29 and 30. If you enter this race you are given the
chance to compete in the Kele World Challenge during the Knoxville Nationals.
Sweet is scheduled to come back to
California
in February and has thoughts of running the first few
California
events in February and March before heading back to
Indiana
to get ready for the USAC National Sprint Car Dirt events.
Sweet is a 2004 high school graduate from
Bear River
High School
in
Auburn
where he gained all-league status as a wrestler.
He has over 100 outlaw kart victories and six championships to his
credit. Media fans of this young
superstar include World of Outlaw traveling Guru and announcer Johnny Gibson,
www.hammerdownusa.com open wheel mogul Bobby Gerould, and Motorsports writer
Norm Bogans.
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