A SWEET VICTORY AT PERTH MOTORPLEX

By Thomas Miles

American star Brad Sweet emerged victorious in a classic USA v WA Sprintcar encounter at Perth Motorplex late December.

Within 24 hours after jumping off the plane, five-time World of Outlaws Champion Sweet put in a stunning drive to overcome spirited challenges from Rico Abreu and Callum Williamson.

The trio sliced and diced in a thrilling battle that contained 12 lead changes within 15 laps which left the packed crowd on their feet.

All 24 cars finished the 30-lap feature that included just the one caution allowing the leaders to go all out for victory.

Sweet was buzzing after the first-up win.

“That was fun. It was great racing with these guys, really aggressive and I hope the fans enjoyed that,” he said.

“Obviously when you get a win on the first night out it is something special.

“It was a lot of hard, clean and aggressive racing without running into each other which was good.

The track was awesome running right on the fence so I cannot wait to come back and keep the momentum rolling.”

Watch the full race HERE

Williamson started on the bottom with Eliason taking the high line and it was the #3 that swooped into the lead on the inside.

He immediately built a gap leaving Eliason and Sweet to fight for second with the pair side by side for the best part of two laps, while Abreu dropped to seventh.

With 25 to go the first caution arrived when top five runner James Inglis spun out following heavy contact with the Zearfoss halfway up the main straight.

Williamson rebuilt his lead at the restart as Abreu fought back to challenge Sweet for third.

Within four laps the #3 was now a second up the road until lapped traffic allowed the American to regain significant ground.

On lap 12 Sweet then launched an aggressive move down the inside and slid ahead of Williamson to steal the lead at turn 3.

But it was far from over as the #3 launched a series of counterattacks with the second successful in regaining track position.