Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Yes, I think at some point he wants to retire. He's mentioned this multiple times in interviews that he would retire earlier than most drivers. That's not his exact words but you get the jest.

However the point of the comment you replied to is odd to mostm that you'd enter the largest sprint car race of the year, and pull your name days before the event.

And again, maybe his injury has lingering issues. If this is truly why his entry was pulled, then we'll find out eventually. If that isn't the case, then we may never know. 

I'm not a Sweet fan, but I respect him and want to see all of the best drivers at this event, despite my feelings towards him. 

Keep It Real

He is semi retired i mean its brought up every time he competes or wins even DD had a reply to the I am just a semi retired guy!!  Maybe he didnt feel comfortable rim riding the wall which is what you have to do    

Oh, no doubt he has nothing to prove.  I wonder if there's truth to an injury.  "Just" wanting to retire is odd in the middle of a 4 night show with the hauler in the pits.  

What if he just wasn't comfortable in the car this time? The big E is no place to try and be a hero if you're not feeling it, we've all seen the bad side of what can happen there. I'ts just natural for people to lose a bit of bravado as the years go by especially when you have nothing to prove to anyone anymore.

The Eldora thing is what it is. If he doesn't re-enter Knoxville then I think there's more to it. Either a falling out with Silva or some lingering injury. 

Jeremy Elliot called Brad and asked.  Brad said he just didn't feel comfortable enough in the car to drive it the way it needed to be at Eldora and probably wouldn't at Knoxville either and didn't think it was fair for Paul to spend the effort and money and not have a driver capable of winning.  No issues between the two.  Just a guy being honest instead of trying to be a hero.  Mad respect to Brad for making that decision.  

That was a very upstanding, mature and thoughtful response from Brad to quell the rumors. And now he can get back to the business of wrestling for control of the sport. 

Agree.  He won at Knoxville 3 months ago.  You don't win at Knoxville if you're uncomfortable at the time.  

He doesn't owe anyone any more information than he's given though.  

Agree, Sweets actions never contradict previous statements made. 

All things considered, I think if Sweet were running WoO or H-L full time this year, he'd be running top 5, but not leading points. 

Depends on who the crew chief is. With a top 5 crew chief, most likely leading. Let me put it this way, reuniting with Prutzman, leading. Either series.

Who does Prutzman crew chief for?

Giovanni Scelzi & Spire Motorsports

Hmmm... EasyE might be on to something...

Agree.  He's reached that magic age where drivers have passed their peak.  And that means something different for every single guy, at every single level in the sport.  He would have a long ways to fall to be out of the equation.  The country is filled with guys 10-15 years younger who have fantastic rides, equipment, wrenches, and most importantly, no fear!  He'd definitely be a player mostly because he would roll the car into the hauler each night in one piece.  That would be half the battle!  But at the end of the day, too many guys in the field who haven't yet felt the love of father time---yet.  

He's not on the Knoxville entry list because he will run the 57 on August 15th when Kyle is at Richmond. 

That's a great point, the 57 will likely make the show and be in the top 8 on Saturday night. I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense. 

Will Knoxville Raceway allow a driver change like that?

Pretty sure they don't allow it

I'm not sure what the rule is either.  When Rico qualified the car but pulled out of championship night, they put someone else in the car, (crew member?) he took the green flag, and pulled into the pits for 24th place, correct?  I'm not sure if he would have been allowed to continue making laps, or if that was a pre-arranged scenario.   I'd be interested to know the rule since there will be a strong chance it will have to be addressed this year.