Here.........I'll help you make yourself proud!! Go to this page & follow the steps exactly. I wouldn't recommend any more sharpening than the first "clarifying" step (your pic needs it as there is a good bit of haze) and the first "sharpening" step (if you oversharpen that pic you're going to lose a lot of pic 'quality' so only sharpen once.) The differences in the dragster pics may look subtle to you at first glance, but look specifically at the first version & last version, then you will notice how clean & sharp the pic got!
Anyway, here's the site. Use your PS6 (same as I use) and give it a shot. You should get the results you're looking for. As for lightening the photo, I'd recommend against it. The nature of that pic won't yield much better than one mask of clarifying/sharpening. Obviously, remember to keep the original separate from your enhanced versions. (you don't want to lose that original!!!) Have at it!!
http://www.lonestardigital.com/photoshop_quicktips.htm 
Linear Mode
