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Sweet Pounces In WoO Opener In Florida

Brad Sweet celebrates World of Outlaws win in victory lane. [Joe Jennings Photo]

WoO podium finishers - runnerup Paul McMahon, winner Brad Sweet and third place Terry Madsen. [Joe Jennings Photo]

WoO podium finishers – runnerup Paul McMahon, winner Brad Sweet and third place Terry Madsen. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Sweet in action in one of three Kasey Kahne Racing entries. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Sweet in action in one of three Kasey Kahne Racing entries. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Brad Sweet in winner's circle at Volusia. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Brad Sweet in winner’s circle at Volusia. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne with their Valentine's Day friends. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne with their Valentine’s Day friends. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Barberville, Fla. – On Valentine’s Day at the Volusia Speedway Park, Brad Sweet put on a heart-pounding run to the checkered flag, winning the World of Outlaws STP Series 2014 opener on the fast half-mile dirt track.

The race was part of the DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, and the program also included the powerful UMP Modified brigade.

Sweet along with Paul McMahon and Tim Shaffer exchanged the lead five times with Sweet passing McMahon on the 28th lap of the 30-lap feature.  The winner drove Kasey Kahne’s Sweet and SureTestSupplies.com No. 49 winged-sprinter.

“It is always good to start out the season with a win,” the young California driver said.  “These races are tough to win.  To be fast out of the gate is a good sign.  We have a new sponsor and two new guys, so it is good for us to be consistent.”

Discussing the pass for the lead at the end, Sweet added, “Lapped traffic bottled them up and opened up the top lane for me, and I made the move and got by those guys.  We were fast and it worked out for us, which is all that matters.”

Added Kahne, “It was an awesome race for us, and Brad (Sweet) pulled it off.  He did a really good job moving around and getting through traffic well.  It was a good way to start our season off.”

A year ago, Daryn Pittman won the opener in a Kahne-fielded car.

McMahon finished runner-up for the second consecutive night and Australian Terry Madsen grabbed third place with two laps to go.

Dash winner Shaffer, who led 26 laps, faded to fourth at the finish.

Dale Blaney nailed down fifth place.

Rounding out the top 10 was Tim Kaeding, WoO champion Pittman, Terry McCarl, Jason Sides and Cody Darrah.

Former series champions Steve Kinser and Donnie Schatz finished 11th and 12th, respectively.

Ty Dillon edged his older brother, Austin Dillon, to cop the 20-lap UMP Modified race with Brian Ruhlman third.

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