BUFFALO TWP - Whether with his feet or in a car, Carl Bowser enjoys sprinting.

The Freeport High School senior runs the 100 and 200 meters, as well as the 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays during the week for the Yellowjackets.

On Friday nights, he's running the No. 10 Sprint car at Lernerville Speedway.

"It's something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid," Bowser said. "My dad sponsored Ralph Spithaler's Sprint car for years here, so I sort of grew up on racing."

Bowser, 18, drove a Micro-Sprint the past two years at Blanket Hill Speedway. He won eight features during his first year but competed in only six races last year.

The abbreviated schedule last season was because Terry Bowser, Carl's father, began driving his No. 59 Sprint car at Lernerville.

"That cut into the budget a little bit," the younger Bowser said, smiling.

Terry Bowser is back in the No. 59 this season and pits alongside his son, who is driving the former No. 55J of Gary Kriess Jr. The Renfrew driver sold the car to the Bowser family during the off-season.

Kriess and his father, Butch Kriess, serve as the pit crew for the Bowser racing tandem.

"I ran out of money, basically," Kriess said about giving up his Sprint car. "I knew Terry wanted to get Carl into a Sprint car, so we called them and struck a deal."

Terry Bowser actually wanted Carl in a Sprint car before now.

"I wanted him to jump right into it," he said. "This is the division he ultimately wanted to race in, so why waste time running another division?

"He could be two years ahead of the game right now."

Now 46, Terry Bowser had never raced in any division before jumping into his No. 59 Sprint car last season.

His season ended prematurely when a violent crash in late July at Lernerville left Bowser with a concussion and impaired vision.

"My optic nerve was damaged," he said. "It's still not 100 percent, but there was no doubt I was coming back.

"I've wanted to do this since I was Carl's age. I never had the money nor the race team until now. That's why when the opportunity arose to get Carl a car, we had to do it."

Carl Bowser finished second in his heat race last week and is among the top 15 in points after one night of points racing.

"All he needs is seat time," Kriess said. "That kid knows how to drive and he's picking up on things quickly. He's ahead of his father in that regard because he has more experience on a race track."

Carl Bowser is adjusting to the difference in speed on the track right now.

"A micro could hit 80 or 90 miles per hour," he said. "These Sprints hit 120 miles per hour. That's a significant difference.

"I need to pick up speed and confidence. It'll come. I'm hoping to gradually get faster and be running in the top five by the end of the year."

Kriess said that goal is realistic.

"After about half or two-thirds of the season, it should kick in for him," Kriess said.

Bowser started at forward for Freeport's basketball team this past winter. His track and field days will end in another month.

Upon graduation, he plans to work for his father's excavating business - and continue building a racing career.

"Ultimately, I want to do this for a living," he said of Sprint racing. "I'd love to drive the All-Star circuit eventually."

Racing with the World of Outlaws this season won't happen - probably.

"I'm not ruling it out," Bowser said. "We'll see how things progress. All I know is, this is what I want to do and I'll be going up against them eventually."

Lernerville Speedway Points Leaders

Top 15 through April 15

Sprints

Rod George 39, Ed Lynch Jr. 36, Charlie Holben 33, Jack Sodeman Jr. 32, Kevin Schaeffer 30, Dan Shetler 28, Arnie Kent 25, Brett Covell 22, Brent Matus 22, Mike Shearer 21, Cory Good 20, Carl Bowser 20, Gary Rankin 20, Scott Bonnell 17, Davey Jones 16

Late Models

Bob Wearing Jr. 38, Dave Johnson 37, Ken Schaltenbrand 35, Alan Dellinger 34, John Flinner 29, Lynn Geisler 28, Mike Blose 25, Chuck Kennedy 21, Robbie Blair 21, Dave Hess Jr. 21, Jason Dupont 19, Bobby Hoffman 17, Mike Johnson 17, Chris Schneider 17, David Scott 16

Modifieds

Kevin Bolland 38, Jim Weller Jr, 37, Dave Murdick 33, Tom Winkle 30, Joe Crawford 28, Brian Swartzlander 27, Del Rougeux Jr. 26, Gary Risch Jr. 22, Tom Marshall III 22, George Hobaugh 21, JR McGinley 21, Chanda Reitz 18, Pete Simpson 17, J. Shingledecker 16, Bob Dorman 16, Kevin Green 16

Pure Stocks

Mike Pegher 40, Rob Shook 35, Bob Lipinski 32, Bobby Whitling 32, Mike Turner 29, Greg Beach 28, Bob Egley 28, Gary Norman 23, Doug Iorio 23, Herman Bertolini 22, Jake Ayers 19, Jason Fosnaught 19, Butch Lambert 16, Pat Hanley 16, Wayne Carbo 16, Dave Spangler 16