Jim....
Practice...practice...practice
The "lightning fingers" thing is interesting and cool but, it's not the only way to play. Check out your local music store and try to find videos or dvd's on techniques, particularly "pulls" and "hammers". Basically with pulls, the action of pulling you finger off a fret creates notes on quick succession. "Hammering" is the opposite, where you use the fingers of your strumming hand to hammer the fretboard.
Don't get too hung up on trying to play fast, 'cos if it ain't clean, it's not going to be appreciated, by you or your listeners.

Me...I've been playing guitar for 40 years now (Boy..are my fingers tired)

....Just my thots... Good Luck Jim.

------------------
...shboom