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Kaley Gharst – Make It an Even Dozen!
(Bill W) – October 11, 2007 – Decatur, Illinois' Kaley Gharst, made it an even dozen by winning the Bob Wente Classic last Saturday night at the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. The win was worth $3,000, and it was the 12th main event tally of 2007 for the 19 year old sprint car driver. The 2007 Sprint Invaders Association Champion will put the 360 back in this weekend and head to the Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas.
There were definitely some heavy hitters in the field to honor one of USAC's best in St. Louis area native, Bob Wente. All Star Circuit of Champions champion Greg Wilson, salty veterans like Dale Blaney and Danny Smith, Knoxville World Challenge Winner Dean Jacobs, Midwest All Stars Series champion Jerrod Hull, and of course, the brothers Montgomery, Tim and Joey, were all on hand.
A World of Outlaws show at Tri-City in June gave the youngster at least some experience on the newly configured 3/8 mile oval heading into the night. "Earlier in the year, we didn't do very well (20th), but it did give us an idea of what the track was like. We had a bit of an advantage in that, I guess."
Gharst was not fazed by the talent assembled this time, despite a draw that would put him outside of row two in a heat that included Wilson and Smith. "We were able to get around Wilson by the second lap, and take that heat race win," says the unassuming youngster.
The track was dry-slick with a nice cushion on the top as Kaley headed into the feature. "We started outside row one in the feature beside Tim Montgomery, and we were able to lead every lap," he says. "We were really running well, and didn't get much of a challenge for the lead." Kaley was able to put some distance between himself and Blaney, who had moved into second in the late stages, when the youngster got a little untracked. "We hit the wall with about eight laps to go and broke the Jacob's ladder," he says. "Really that was about the only excitement."
In addition to his Sprint Invaders championship, Kaley pulled off 410 wins at Knoxville Raceway and with the MASS in 2007. He also took home a 360 Nationals preliminary and captured the Brodix Tournament of Champions at Knoxville. Ten of his twelve wins to date have come since July 12. "We've given up some wins, but we also have twelve wins to show for the season, so we can't complain too much, I guess," says the driver of the Tri-Star Motorsports 3* machine. "We've had some bad nights, but the wins make the bad nights a little bit better."
First Devil's Bowl Trip This Weekend
This weekend, Kaley will travel to compete with the American Sprint Cars on Tour series at the Devil's Bowl. It will be his inaugural trip to the historic ½ mile oval. "Hopefully, we can get down there and get a couple wins," he says. "I've heard it's a fun and racy track that changes all the time. One night may be rough, and one night may be slick, so it should be a challenge."
Kaley would like to thank the following sponsors: Maxim Racing, Phillips' Floors, Bell Racing, ProShocks, McKenna Truck Center, Charlie Fisher Racing Engines, and HostIowa.net - Your Complete Internet Solution.
If you would like to receive Kaley's weekly releases, send an e-mail with the subject line "Kaley" to [email protected].
Kaley in Victory Lane at Tri-City (Jimmy Dearing Photo – StLRacing.com)
Bill WrightBill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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