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Kaley Gharst – UFO!
(Bill W) – September 11, 2008 – The Jerry Richert Memorial is traditionally held on the Saturday after Labor Day, and this year's event was no different. Kaley Gharst had raced there one other time in 2006 and finished fourth, so hopes were high coming in. The Decatur, Illinois driver's night was going well until an Unidentified Flying Object found its way into the cockpit of the Marty Johnson #81 and ended his night in pain.
Drawing the 31st pill in the 34 car field for qualifying seemed tough, but a ninth quick effort was acceptable. "Going out late wasn't such a disadvantage," says Kaley. "(Mark) Dobmeier went out right before us and had quick time. We were pretty happy with that effort, because of the way we've been qualifying all year."
"The car was working pretty decent in the heat," continued Kaley. He found himself outside row two for the first heat beside IRA point leader Billy Balog. He roared into third with a good start, and worked by Kim Mock to finish second behind Bronson Maeschen.
The feature invert saw Kaley lining up 10th in the 25-lapper. Just as the cars took to the track, the rain fell. A one and a half hour rain delay took its toll on the track, and it was super-fast early. "All of the rain made it a little tricky," says the 20 year old. "It was heavy, and we were tight at the beginning. Once the track blew off a bit, we started passing some cars."
Kaley began picking his way forward again. He held down a top ten spot, and had worked his way up to seventh when the white flag flew. "We were running behind (Dusty) Zomer there, on what I guess was the last lap, and that's when we got hit and that ended our night," he remembers.
The normal fan saw him pull into the infield on the fourth turn, but Kaley explains what happened inside the car on the last lap. "Something came through the right side of the car, tore up the wing, went through the side panel and got me in the shoulder," he says. "We have no idea what it was. Whatever it was hurt a lot! I didn't know it was the last lap, or else I may have been able to make it another 50 yards. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention."
The pain in the arm continues, but Kaley wouldn't mind racing somewhere, somehow this week. "It's doing o.k. with an occasional pain pill," he says. "It would have been nice to get a ride for the Sprint Invaders shows around here this weekend, but right now it looks like we'll be taking the week off."
Kaley is thankful for getting to race the #81 again last weekend. "I just like to thank Marty Johnson again, and his sons Cody and Austin for all the help and hard work they've put in to let me race their car," he reiterates.
Keep an eye on Kaley's progress this week and beyond at www.KaleyGharst.com!
If you would like to receive Kaley's weekly releases, send an e-mail with the subject line "Kaley" to [email protected].
(www.HeartlandMotorsports.com Photo)
Bill WrightBill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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