MECHANICSBURG -- Brian Leppo won the rain-delayed Tommy Classic for sprint cars Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway.
Leppo started alongside Pat Cannon on the front row. Cannon took the lead at the start and set the early pace with Leppo in tow.
What proved to be the winning pass came on the 17th lap of the 30-lap event. Leppo ducked to the inside exiting Turn 4 and slid in front of Cannon.
Once in front, Leppo pulled away from the field. Despite a fuel stop with two laps remaining, Leppo was never seriously challenged for the lead.
Leppo earned $6,000 from a $30,000 purse for his third career victory at Williams Grove.
Cannon, who was seeking his second win in three starts in 410 sprint car competition, settled for second. Sean Michael, in his first start of the season, finished third.
Red Lion's Cody Darrah challenged Michael several times in the closing stages of the race, but the teenager settled for fourth at the finish.
Jeff Shepard stole fifth from Greg Hodnett on the last lap. Mark Smith, Don Kreitz Jr., Craig Keel and Todd Shaffer completed the top 10.
Kreitz set the fast time in qualifications with a lap of 16.609 seconds.
Heats for the 32 sprint cars were won by Smith, Shaffer, Fred Rahmer and Shepard.
Alan Krimes won the consolation race.
A brief shower caused the program to be delayed for 90 minutes.
The race honors the memory of the late Tommy Hinnershitz, one of sprint car racing's all-time greats.



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