With national championships and countless regional and local titles to back him up, Jacob Wilson has proven his competency behind the wheel of a kart or USAC Kenyon Midget on about any track he chooses.

The next step is a natural one for a budding star - racing's big leagues.

The North Montgomery High School student took a step recently, testing a pavement Sprint Car at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval of Anderson Speedway. Veteran car owner and crew chief, Jack French, Waynetown, set up the test with Walker-Guiducci Racing in the No. 11D normally driven on the USAC national circuit by Dave Darland.

"Are you sure this is the first time he has driven a sprint car?" car owner Jeff Walker said right from the start. "There aren't very many drivers out there that have that kind of throttle control after just five laps."

"I told you this kid was something special," French responded.

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Anderson is no easy track to learn on. French has great history with victories in six Little 500 Sprint Car races on the tricky track.

In the first session Wilson was trying to learn the car and blow the dirt off the track while learning the line around the speedway. French waved him in and after a talking with the young gun, they made a chassis adjustment and headed back to the track.

Session Two was like the first as the lap times came down to competitive numbers and Wilson looked more comfortable every lap. French noticed the car wasn't settling just right in turn one and waved him in once again for a consultation.

As in a usual test, discussion continued between the driver and crew chief. French freed the car up a bit to help Wilson drive through Turn One and also Wilson was schooled about the points on the track where the 800-horsepower car should be at full throttle.

The next session, French was excited as the car broke into 11.6-second laps. A few of Anderson Speedways neighbors started appearing in the stands, trying to see what the roar was all about.

"That's what I wanted to see," French said, looking at the stopwatch. "Eight laps in a row below 11.6 (seconds) and nearly identical times"

"He has proven he can drive one of these things for sure," Walker said. "I think he has a future in Sprint Cars."

"This was so neat, driving a car that one of my heroes, Dave Darland won races in," Wilson said. "Its just like a dream."

Walker was generous enough to reward Wilson's younger brother Clinton a few laps after helping out all day. Clint was all smiles when he returned to the pits.

"Man that thing has some power," he said through his smile.

Jacob said his plans for next year are undecided as of now.

"I just want to see what's available and try and find the best fit for me as a driver," Wilson said. "I would like to drive a car fielded by my family and, with some sponsors, that's a real possibility. But I want to leave my options open to drive for an established team as well."

Next on the schedule for Wilson is a plan to compete in the "Rumble at Fort Wayne" a national USAC Indoor Midget Race, December 29-30.

To find out more, log on to www.wilsonbrosracing.com and www.jacobwilsonracing.com.