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Kaley Gharst – Hopes to Keep 2007 Momentum!
(Bill W) – January 31, 2008 – 2007 was a year to remember for Kaley Gharst. A dozen wins for the teenager were a harbinger of things to come. He was the 360 Sprint Invaders Association champion, as well. A big weekend at Knoxville in August saw him net three feature wins in four nights including a 360 Nationals preliminary, a 410 win on the Saturday before the Nationals, and winning the Brodix Tournament of Champions. Now Kaley enters 2008 with new plans, new numbers and a fresh attitude.
Things will start in Florida where it has the past three years, but this time he will be in a different car and on a new track for Gharst. The North Florida Speedway near Lake City, Florida will be the venue for the All Star Circuit of Champions lid-lifter this Friday night. "We're excited to get down there in Guy Webb's car (#51), and hopefully get some wins in Florida," says the Decatur, Illinois youngster. "We want to make it a good start to the season. I've never been to the track (North Florida), but looking on the internet, it looks like a nice track. I hope we can put on a good show for the fans."
The pair hooked up at the conclusion of last season, and Kaley will be in the seat of the machine when it doesn't conflict with the racing on Saturday night at Knoxville in Bruce Williams' #7K. "Guy was talking to us this Winter," says Kaley. "He's got some cars and we have a couple of motors. When we're not busy at Knoxville, we'll be hitting some All Star and Midwest All Star shows in the #51. We're running all the 410 shows down here in Florida with the All Stars and the World of Outlaws, so it's a pretty decent deal for us."
The Gharst team will move on to Volusia Speedway where veteran crew chief Bob Brooks will join them for six nights of racing beginning February 6. "Last year was pretty bad (at Volusia), but the year before was good," says Kaley. "Hopefully, we can step it up. I've never had the best of luck there, but hopefully we can turn it around. A couple years ago, we were qualifying up there with the leaders. We seem to be good there when things are right with the car. Last year, I don't know if we even made a feature there all week (he finished 17th in one of the All Star shows). Last year was pretty bad for us there."
Kaley's plans will change drastically once Florida is over. "We leave February 20 for Australia," he says. "We're driving with Ryan Farrell and for his dad John. He raced with us in Knoxville last summer, and it's kind of a return of a favor for that, I guess. He got hooked up with Scott (Ritchhart) to drive with us last year, and Ryan decided we could come down there and do the same. We'll be running for about a month in Perth in Western Australia." It will be Kaley's first trip "Down Under".
When back in the States, the focus will center on the Knoxville 410 track championship. He will forego running for points with any other series. "We're not really focusing on the 360 stuff this year," says the 2007 Sprint Invaders champ. "We have a motor, but we'll probably save that for the bigger shows."
Keep an eye on Kaley's progress this week and beyond at www.KaleyGharst.com!
Kaley would like to thank the following sponsors: Maxim Racing, Phillips' Floors, Bell Racing, ProShocks, McKenna Truck Center, Charlie Fisher Racing Engines, Karl Chevrolet, Wilco Heating and Air Conditioning 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].
One last look at the 2007 machine last November in Charlotte (Jason McConnell Photo)
Bill WrightBill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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