Bill Sweet

Bill Sweet was the Speedbowl’s first Late Model star and dominated the early years of the Daredevil division. Hailing from Norwalk, Sweet was known as “The Norwalk Night Rider”. In the division’s first full season of 1966, Sweet led the division with 5 wins.

But it was the back-to-back seasons of 1967-1968 when Sweet became a Speedbowl legend. He won a record 10 features in the latter season, then won 10 features again in 1969. That season also included a streak of 4 straight, but by season’s end he lost out on a 3rd straight title to Wayne “Mr. Mysterious” Smith.

He finished 2nd to Ron Cote for the 1970 title and as the new decade progressed he tended to race less frequently, yet continued to win races through the 1975 season. His 42 wins in the Daredevil/Grand American (DGA) division are the most by any driver.

Sweet was also a big fan of the demolition derbies and won multiple events during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Bill’s family continued be involved at the Speedbowl, with his son Bill Sweet Jr driving Late Models in the 1980’s and his grandson Brent driving SK Modifieds in the 2010’s.

Sweet was also honored in as one of the Speedbowl’s 50 Favorite Drivers in 2000. He passed away on December 11, 2011 – fittingly at the age of 81.

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

BILL SWEET
SPEEDBOWL PHOTO ALBUM