KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Brad Sweet was voted Driver of the Year by the North American 410 Sprint Car Poll voting panel of media members, promoters, sanctioning officials and manufacturers for the third time in his career.
Sweet scored the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship for the fifth consecutive season. Only Steve Kinser and Donny Schatz have done that.
Among Sweet’s 11 World of Outlaws wins were the Skagit Nationals in Washington, the Williams Grove National Open in Pennsylvania and the finale at the Charlotte (N.C.) World Finals.
In one of the most interesting 410 polls in history, seven drivers earned first-place consideration. Sweet received 12 of the 24 first-place nods.
Others to receive first place votes was four-time High Limit winner Rico Abreu (4), Huset’s Speedway (S.D.) High Bank Nationals winner David Gravel (3), Knoxville Nationals winner Kyle Larson (2), Eldora (Ohio) Speedway King’s Royal winner Donny Schatz, 2022 National Driver of the Year Brent Marks and NARC King of the West champion Corey Day.
Those drivers ranked second through fifth, respectively, are Gravel, Abreu, Larson and Jackson Nationals winner Carson Macedo.
Shark Racing’s Logan Schuchart, Schatz, Marks, All Star Circuit of Champions champion Zeb Wise and nine-time All Star winner, Tyler Courtney rounded out the top ten in the poll.
Other Awards
The Rico Abreu Racing No. 24 was voted the “410 Team of the Year” after their memorable season.
Day will receive his first career “North American Sprint Car Poll honor as the Wild Card Award” winner for being voted the most entertaining 410 driver.
Bryce Lucius is the “Rookie of the Year” in the 410 class after his successful weekly campaigns at both Attica and Fremont in Ohio.
Jerry Gappens earned “Promoter of the Year” honors in the 410 class for the first time. Gappens just completed his first full season at Eldora Speedway, which featured among many events the sprint car “Million.”
“Builder/Manufacturer of the Year” honors in the 410 poll went to Dave Sharpley of Sharp Advantage Safety Products for the first time. Sharp is known for their innovative seat inserts.
The Media Member of the Year Award went to FloRacing and Michael Rigsby. It is Flo’s second such award with the 410 class, and fifth overall.
Thomas J. Schmeh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sport
A deserving recipient will receive this year’s “Thomas J. Schmeh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sport,” the highest honor in the North American Sprint Car Poll.
Kevin Rudeen has brought much to the sport in the last few years as a car owner and now promoter. After purchasing Skagit Speedway in his native Washington, he has ramped up sprint car racing in the area, and returned the Dirt Cup to a premiere 410 event.
Rudeen has also brought awareness with the Rayce Rudeen Foundation and is a leading contributor to the “Make A Wish” Foundation at the Trophy Cup each year, among other charities.
Past recipients of the North American Sprint Car Poll’s Outstanding Contribution to the Sport Award are as follows:
Shane Carson, Tod Quiring, Carlton Reimers, Kyle Larson, the late Bill Simpson, the late Greg Hodnett, Dave Pusateri, the late Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland, Sammy Swindell, Fred Rahmer, Johnny Gibson, the late Jerry Reigle, Steve Sinclair, Kasey Kahne, Tom Schmeh, the late Dick Jordan, the late Fred Brownfield, Doug Auld, the late Hank Gentzler, Tony Stewart, Emmett Hahn, Allan Holland, Dave Argabright, Ron Shuman, the late Kevin Gobrecht, Jack Hewitt, the late Jack Miller, Brad Doty, Art & Carol Malies, Dave Bowman, the late Ralph Capitani, the late Ted Johnson, Mark Kuchan, Steve Kinser, the late Don Martin, Steve Beitler, Lee Brewer, Jr., Mark Kinser, Frank Lewis, the late Earl Baltes, Casey & Beverly Luna, Elayne Hoff, Jean Lynch, the late J.W. Hunt and Bert Emick.