Who says the future of sprint car racing doesn't look so bright?

Friday night I was standing at the sprint car driver's meeting at Williams Grove, and as I listened to starter Butch Book, I looked up and there, standing shoulder to shoulder in a row, listening intently, was the future of the sport right before my eyes.

A.J. Michael, Michael Carber, Pat Cannon, John Westbrook, Chris Meleason and Cody Darrah. Nothing says we have a promising future like those six names.

In the background stood Fred Rahmer, Todd Shaffer and Donnie Kreitz, kind of like shepherds watching over their flock. Oh, they can still put a whipping on the young'uns, so to speak, but it was kind of like seeing the passing of the torch.

And there are many more new torch carriers in the race.

Carriers like Ryan Bohlke, Steve Cannon, Chris Borich, Alan Krimes, Elvin Diller III., Blane Heimbach, Matt Heimbach, Chuck Paige and many more.

And in the feature Friday, it proved to be a 30-lap duel between a couple of 20-somethings named Pat Cannon and Brian Leppo.

FIRST FINISHERS: Brian Leppo came out on top in the $6,000 Tommy Hinnershitz Classic for 410 sprints at Williams Grove on Friday night. He and Pat Cannon put on a fantastic race-long duel. Brad McClelland came out on top in 358 sprint action at Trailway on Friday.

Saturday action across the area was rained out.

HE MUST HAVE HAD A BIG BRUSH: Selinsgrove promoter Charlie Paige did some cosmetic work on the track's guardrail last week. A fresh coat of paint, not whitewash, awaits you on your next trip to the track. Paige tries to do everything first class!

FUEL FACTOR: So you hate filling up your gas tank? Car owner of Greg Hodnett's No. 22, Jim Kline said Friday he spends about $600 on diesel to fill up the rig before heading to the track.

ANOTHER DREAM: Port Royal Race Director Tom Little says that a second Dream Race Extreme is indeed slated for this season paying another $30,000 to win. A preliminary qualifier will be July 31 with the Dream set for Aug. 2. Sean Michael won for Jim Nace last season.

SCHEDULED: Williams Grove has 410 and 358 sprints this Friday while Clinton County spins off its season opener.

Lincoln Speedway hosts the fifth annual Weldon Sterner Memorial on Saturday of which Lucas Wolfe is the defending winner. Regular shows rule the roost elsewhere.

WIN LISTS: Area 410 sprint winners to date: Fred Rahmer, 4; Greg Hodnett, 2; Pat Cannon, Craig Dollansky, Doug Esh, Alan Krimes, Rick Lafferty, Brian Leppo, Todd Shaffer, Jeff Shepard, Niki Young, 1 win each.