Not even a red flag with two laps left could keep Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing out of victory lane. The California native hit his marks perfectly and this time, held off Schatz instead of the other way around.

“It takes doing everything right here in order to win, and this year, that’s exactly what Brad did,” Kahne noted. “He had his plan going in, he stuck to it and he made all the right decisions in the race.”

In fact, Sweet’s Knoxville performance was just one piece of a bigger growth and maturation that Kahne said he’s noticed since Florida Speedweeks all the way back in February.

“I’ve been impressed all year long. Brad’s changed a bit this year,” said Kahne. “His outlook and the way he thinks about things and talks about things has just shifted some, and it’s really neat to see. He’s really getting to that point now where he battles every single night and he’s a threat that’s just there night in and night out for wins.

“To see him stick to what he wanted to do, run those last two laps his way and still make it pay off with a win was incredible.”

Kahne noted that part of Sweet’s success in this year’s Nationals boiled down to how much time he spent preparing for it, soaking in every bit of information he could and poring back over his and the team’s Knoxville performances through the years.

“Brad has studied this place for years, trying to figure out what it takes to win here. He’s studied Donny Schatz and tried to make himself as good as he can possibly be to go up against what Schatz and that (No.) 15 team have built,” explained Kahne. “Saturday night, he showed that he’s worthy of being mentioned alongside the best (drivers) in this sport.

“He was unreal, going all the way back to last Sunday (in the Capitani Classic). It’s a huge testament to him and to all the people that put in the effort to make this night happen. I still can’t believe it.”

Though Kahne’s team had been around since 2006 and even gone as far as winning the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series championship with Pittman in 2013, it hadn’t tasted the glory of sprint car racing’s ultimate prize.

Saturday night, Kasey Kahne Racing finally got that sweet taste of victory, a taste that Kahne said already has him anxious to get back on top of the stage at Knoxville again next summer.

“I’ve always felt strongly about the part I’ve been able to play in the sprint car world, with owning the teams, with giving drivers opportunities and giving the mechanics and crew members in our group the best home I can, but when you can win a race … or this year, win the Knoxville Nationals, it makes you want to come back and repeat that kind of success.” said Kahne. “You don’t want to let go of that amazing feeling.”

“I want to be here again next year and I want to celebrate like this all over again in 2019.”