BY JEFF PATRUS
Clarkston News Staff Writer

Kenny Leonard’s boyhood dream has come true.
The Clarkston High School graduate, currently a senior at Western Michigan University, signed his first contract as a professional race car driver Jan. 11 with S Pro Sports Agency in Bowling Green, Ohio, agreeing to a three-year deal with the agency.
For the 20-year-old, the opportunity to race professionally is what he has hoped for since he was a youngster. He began racing at the age of 18, which is not considered an ideal age to start practicing for a potential pro career.
“I’m actually really late to start in the game,” Leonard said. “I thank the good Lord I’ve come this far.”
His family had a little bit to do with Leonard waiting to get his career started.
“I used to attend Waterford Hills Race Track with the whole family, where my dad worked as an Independence Township firefighter,” Leonard said. “I wanted to be a racer, but with my dad being a firefighter, he was against it. He saw firsthand the dangers of the sport. My whole family knew of the dangers and didn’t want me exposed as a youngster. Now, they’re 100 percent supportive.”
Growing up, Leonard’s favorite drivers were Rusty Wallace on the NASCAR circuit (“I love his demeanor, the way he interacts with fans in his public appearances”) and Bobby Rahal on the CART/FedEx circuit (“He had great charisma and was a good role model”).
Now that Leonard himself is preparing for a pro auto racing career, S Pro is looking for sponsors for Leonard’s upcoming racing season.
According to Burton Stevens of S Pro, the agency is looking for a circuit to compete in this year. Stevens thought Leonard would be a part of a new circuit, called Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC), but he learned that circuit would not start until next year.
“We talked to representatives from TRAC, and they said it would be in Kenny’s best interests to get some racing experience this year,” Stevens said.
Right now, Leonard is looking at a number of circuits to race with this year. He stated the main one he is considering is the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), headquartered in Colorado.
“Our main goal is to qualify for the SCAA runoffs in October at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Complex,” Leonard said.
Leonard is one of 90 finalists, out of 2,600 applicants, in the running for a professional contract with the TRAC series. Approximately 75 of these 90 drivers will be certified as professional TRAC drivers.
“Hopefully, I’ll remain as one of the finalists,” he said. “I fully believe in myself and my capabilities and all I need is a chance to prove myself.”
The circuit will debut in April 2004 and will be a ten-team series. Each team will consist of three cars and be headquartered in a major market city throughout the United States. The drivers will finish as a team based on the average finish of each driver rather than finishing as individuals. The circuit will feature an all-star race and championship race on top of its approximate 20-race season.
Leonard is enthused about the possibilities TRAC offers.
“I love the new concept and I’m extremely excited about that,” he said. “It opens up new markets for auto racing. The marketing aspects are almost unlimited. The broadcast companies are excited about it.”
He would not comment on what networks may televise TRAC events, stating negotiations are still ongoing in that regard.
Leonard also stated no cities have been officially awarded TRAC franchises, but on TRAC’s Web site (www.traczone.com), cities such as Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Charlotte, North Carolina are mentioned as potential franchise sites. Leonard also mentioned he hopes Michigan will land a TRAC franchise.