4/16/2010
Sprint Source
Kaley Gharst - It's "Showtime"!
(Bill W) – April 15, 2010 – At last, it’s “Showtime” for Kaley Gharst! The 21 year old driver out of Decatur, Illinois will run the “360 Sprint Challenge” with the Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders this weekend at the 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa. Kaley returns to the Plath Motorsports #14P in 2010 as the all-time leading feature winner with the Sprint Invaders. The team will include several 410 shows on their schedule this year, as the amount of racing nights increases.
The challenge at 34 Raceway will include an opportunity for the top three starters in the feature to choose to go to the rear. If they finish in the top three, their prize money is doubled, plus whatever the fans may donate. The 2007 series champion is ready and willing for the challenge. “If the track is wide enough that we think we can do some passing, we’ll probably take a shot at it,” he says. “The trick is getting yourself in those top three spots. If we’re there, odds are we’ll take the challenge.”
Kaley has won twice at the West Burlington 3/8 mile oval, and both of those wins came last season. “We’ve had some decent runs there,” he says. “We seem to usually have a good car there. We’ve been fortunate to win a couple, and finish up front for the most part.”
The crew will look familiar on race night. “We’ve got the same group of guys helping out. Of course, Randy and Lori Plath are the owners, and Nick Breuer’s shop in Gladstone is where all the equipment is right now. John Plath and Lucas Glasgow will be around again to help out too. Of course, dad will be there.”
The schedule is yet to be determined, but ambitions about 410 racing weekly at Knoxville may be realized with a good early start there. “We’re not 100% sure about our schedule,” says Kaley. “We’re just going to play it by ear for a while. We’ll probably start out running Knoxville, and see how it goes. We’d like to get some fuel and tire sponsors to make the whole year work there though.”
He is eager to do more 410 racing than a year ago. His short career already includes 20 wins…six of them in a 410. “We’ll race week by week, and run when and where we can really,” he says. “Last year, we didn’t do as much 410 racing as we had done in the past, and we’d like to do a lot more this year. We only won one race with the 410 last year, so we want to definitely improve on that.”
A new partner has come aboard to join all the other great ones. “I’d like to welcome Nelson Catering of Springfield, Illinois on as one of our new sponsors,” says Kaley. “All of our partners are great, and of course, we’d welcome some more!”
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net.
Kaley and car owner Randy Plath would like to thank Sebastian Powder Coating and Sandblasting, Holtkamp Truck and Trailer Repair, Nelson Catering, Pieper Inc., Lange Chiropractic, Rockstar Graphics, Scott Performance, Midland Performance and GPC Race Products.
[u Photo - Kaley in 2009 action at 34 Raceway (PushintheCushin.com Photo)]
Submitted By: Tony Veneziano
