Gharst seals Sprint Invader title with series-record seventh win at Donnellson
By Jake Croxton

DONNELLSON, IA (Sept 22) – Kaley Gharst’s 2007 Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders ended just as it started five months ago. The 19-year old Decatur, Ill. driver found victory lane at the Lee County Speedway to earn his seventh victory of the season. The win broke Jerrod Hull’s single-season record of six wins,
set in 2005.

“It was a little relieving,” said Gharst of winning
his first championship in a Sprint Car. “We were close
coming into tonight, with Matt [Sutton] coming off a
win last weekend. We went out and drew a bad number
and came through to second in our Heat Race. Then we
drew a good number for the feature and got to start
front row outside.”

Gharst was content to ride behind pole-starter Russ
Hall in the early stages of the 25-lapper. Hall was
able to lengthen his lead to a straightaway at times
on the black-slick 3/8-mile.

A pair of cautions flew on lap 6 – the first for an
innocent 360 by Dustin Selvage, and the second for a
wild tangle in turn two involving Jarod Smith and Jeff Mitrisin. Only Selvage was able to restart.

The race went green for the next thirteen circuits as
some of the deeper-starting cars began to work
forward. Bobby Mincer, Nick Eastin, and Jordan
Goldesberry were the show behind the lead duo as they
battled for positions three through five.

On the eighteenth lap, Gharst dove underneath Hall as
they raced with lapped traffic. It was all Gharst
needed to slip into the top spot. Mincer was also able
to sneak through.

“We followed the 29 car [Hall] for quite awhile there
in the feature, and got by him in lapped traffic,”
said Gharst. “ I started taking it easy, and then I
saw [Potter] coming around me on the outside and he
gave me a run for my money there. I had to get on the
gas a little harder and risk blowing that right-rear,
but luckily it held up. There wasn’t much left of it.”

Tire issues sidelined Rager Phillips on Lap 19,
triggering the caution. On the ensuing restart, Eastin
and Goldesberry got together, sending the 2007 Rookie
of the Year spinning in turn two.

Three laps later, both Eastin and Matt Harms suffered
flat right rear tires, necessitating the final yellow
of the event.

Seemingly out of nowhere, O’Reilly WOW drop-in Rusty
Potter was ready to steal Gharst’s thunder on the
restart. The Boonville, Missouri, resident put his
Potter Trucking / Roy Cary Livestock Machinery / Isle
of Capri Casino / Ostrich / Maxim a lane above both
Gharst and Mincer and nearly drove to the lead, but a
big push in turn two ended his hopes.

“Earlier in the race, we were so darn tight, it was
hard to keep it out of the wall,” said Potter of the
run. “But on the restarts, it was good for a couple
laps. The tires were cool enough, I was able to drive
by those guys on the bottom. The last lap, I was
either going to win or end up somewhere. It just
didn’t stick.”

Mincer equaled his best finish of the season as he
followed Gharst to the checkers.

“I was actually surprised after we moved into second
that we were gaining on Kaley a little,” admitted
Mincer, the 2004 SIA Driving Champion. “Catching him
might have been one thing, but passing him was
definitely going to be another. We started fifth and
ran second, so it wasn’t a bad night – especially for
how quick the track rubbered down.”

“I’d heard him [Potter] the lap before working it a
little bit,” Mincer said of Potter’s late-race charge.
“I didn’t know whether it was good, bad, or what, but
I knew if I stayed where I was at, I would be alright.
I wish we could’ve had a win this year, but ever since
the first race after the Nationals, we brought this
car out and we’ve been really good. It was a good way
to end the year.”

Hall held on for second, while eleventh-starter Korey
Weyant rounded out the top five. KSE Racing Products
Hard Charger Matt Sutton’s championship bid ended up
in sixth, while John Schulz, Joe Beaver, Josh
Schneiderman, and Ryan Jamison completed the top ten.

Support class action saw healthy car counts. The
Discount Tire Modifieds saw 38 entries, but it was a
familiar face in victory lane. Rich Smith held off
Wyatt Lantz in his JC Dubil Race Car Parts / Weikert
Iron & Metal / Harris / Chevy. Lantz briefly took
command in the first half of the 20-lapper, but Smith
worked back by on lap 11 and drove away. Brandon
Banks, Dennis LaVeine, and Mike Weikert, Jr. finished
in the top five.

Dean Kratzer ended an entire summer of frustration in
his Lawson Racing Engines / Truck Repair / Jean
Kratzer Avon / Buick. The veteran had victory slip
away on Aug. 29, but finally got the job done after
holding off Brandon Symmonds. Jon Richardson, Rodger
Dresden, and Jimmy Hayes ended the Donnellson Tire
Hobby Stock 15-lapper in the top five.

The Budweiser Stock Car 15-lapper saw another familiar
face in victory lane. 2007 Track Champion Jeff Mueller
took the lead mid-race in his Total Connections
Electric / Hawkeye Pizza / Quality Equipment / Buick.
Mueller held off early leader Chris Webb and Ryan and
Jason Cook to seal the deal. Jake Wenig finished
fifth.

The next event for the Lee County Speedway will take
place on Saturday, October 6. Modifieds, Stock Cars,
Hobby Stocks, and Wild Things are on the card. Race
time is 7 pm.

Results

Car Count – 30
Cautions – 5 – L6, 6, 19, 19, 22
Leaders – Russ Hall 1-18, Gharst 19-25
Laps Led – Hall 18, Gharst 7
Highest Finishing Rookie – Jordan Goldesberry (11th)

***Newberry flipped in the B-Main – he was uninjured

Contingency:
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Matt Sutton
(Started 15th, Finished 6th)
Rod End Supply – Joe Beaver
Rod End Supply – Tyler Thompson
Saldana Racing Product – Nick Eastin
Ultra Shield – John Schulz
Diversified Machine – Matt Harms
Hepfner Racing Products – Matt Sutton
The Brake Man – Jeff Mitrisin
M&W Aluminum Products – Bart Andrews
MPD – Jordan Goldesberry

Staats Awards Heat Race #1 (Top 4 advance) -- 1. 3P
Rusty Potter, Boonville, MO; 2. 53 Joe Beaver,
Knoxville; 3. 24 Jarod Smith, Altoona; 4. 48 Tyler
Thompson, Des Moines; 5. 53H Matt Harms, Chillicothe,
IL; 6. 9G Charlie Gilpin, Jr., Dallas City, IL; 7. 4M
Mark Tischer, Hannibal, MO; 8. 18A Dan Avery,
Burlington

Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders
A-Main 01 --  1. Kaley Gharst, Decatur, Ill.; 2. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, Iowa; 3. Rusty Potter, Boonville, Mo.; 4. Russ Hall, Des Moines, Iowa; 5. Korey Weyant;; 6. Matt Sutton, Macomb, Ill.; 7. John Schulz;; 8. Joe Beaver, Knoxville, Iowa; 9. Josh Schneiderman;; 10. Ryan Jamison, Burlington, Iowa; 11. Jordan Goldesberry;; 12. Bart Andrews, Muscative, Iowa; 13. Dustin Selvage, Indianola, Iowa; 14. Donnie Stewart, West Burlington, Iowa; 15. Bob Thompson, Des Moines, Iowa; 16. Nick Eastin, Burlington, Iowa; 17. Matt Harms, Chillicothe, Ill.; 18. Rager Phillips, Knoxville, Iowa; 19. Jarod Smith, Altoona, Iowa; 20. Jeff Mitrisin;.

B-Main 01 --  1. Josh Schneiderman;; 2. Jeff Mitrisin;; 3. Ryan Jamison, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Matt Harms, Chillicothe, Ill.; 5. Lance Gullo, Reverton, Ill.; 6. Jesse Giannetto;; 7. Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, Ill.; 8. Mark Tischer, Hannibal, Mo.; 9. Charlie Gilpin, Jr., Dallas City, Ill.; 10. Daniel Avery, Burlington, Iowa; 11. Tim Moore, Taylor Ridge, Ill.; 12. Jim Newberry, West Burlington, Iowa; 13. Brian Stansberry, Moulton, Iowa; 14. Johnny Anderson, Indianola, Iowa.

Heat 01 --  1. Rusty Potter, Boonville, Mo.; 2. Joe Beaver, Knoxville, Iowa; 3. Jarod Smith, Altoona, Iowa; 4. Bob Thompson, Des Moines, Iowa; 5. Matt Harms, Chillicothe, Ill.; 6. Charlie Gilpin, Jr., Dallas City, Ill.; 7. Mark Tischer, Hannibal, Mo.; 8. Daniel Avery, Burlington, Iowa.

Heat 02 --  1. Rager Phillips, Knoxville, Iowa; 2. Kaley Gharst, Decatur, Ill.; 3. Nick Eastin, Burlington, Iowa; 4. John Schulz;; 5. Josh Schneiderman;; 6. Tim Moore, Taylor Ridge, Ill.; 7. Brian Stansberry, Moulton, Iowa; 8. Johnny Anderson, Indianola, Iowa.

Heat 03 --  1. Dustin Selvage, Indianola, Iowa; 2. Russ Hall, Des Moines, Iowa; 3. Korey Weyant;; 4. Matt Sutton, Macomb, Ill.; 5. Jeff Mitrisin;; 6. Lance Gullo, Reverton, Ill.; 7. Jesse Giannetto;.

Heat 04 --  1. Jordan Goldesberry;; 2. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, Iowa; 3. Bart Andrews, Muscative, Iowa; 4. Donnie Stewart, West Burlington, Iowa; 5. Ryan Jamison, Burlington, Iowa; 6. Jim Newberry, West Burlington, Iowa; 7. Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, Ill..

Trophy Dash 01 --  1. Rager Phillips, Knoxville, Iowa; 2. John Schulz;; 3. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, Iowa; 4. Korey Weyant;; 5. Matt Sutton, Macomb, Ill.; 6. Josh Schneiderman;; 7. Ryan Jamison, Burlington, Iowa; 8. Kaley Gharst, Decatur, Ill..     

Hobby Stocks
A-Main 01 --  1. Dean Kratzer, Montrose; 2. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk; 3. John Richardson, Morning Sun; 4. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 5. Jimmy Hayes, Moravia; 6. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 7. Cody Henbes, Postville; 8. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 9. Rich Uppinghouse, Hannibal, Mo.; 10. Derek Deltmann, Monona; 11. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 12. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington; 13. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson; 14. Randy Reed, Quincy, Ill.; 15. Bob Lynch, Ottumwa; 16. Tanner Thomann, Middletown; 17. Russell Passmore, Burlington; 18. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 19. Rick Barlow, Jr., Keokuk; 20. Bobby Six;; 21. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 22. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 23. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 24. Jon Rooney, Donnellson.

B-Main 01 --  1. Cody Henbes, Postville; 2. Bob Lynch, Ottumwa; 3. Derek Deltmann, Monona; 4. Randy Reed, Quincy, Ill.; 5. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 6. Eric Rowley, Bulrington; 7. Josh McKasson, Wever; 8. Robert Kephart, Donnellson; 9. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 10. Cale Samberg, Burlington; 11. Doug Fenton, Burlington; 12. Roger Krieger, Bulington.

Heat 01 --  1. Dean Kratzer, Montrose; 2. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 3. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 4. Rich Uppinghouse, Hannibal, Mo.; 5. Russell Passmore, Burlington; 6. Josh McKasson, Wever; 7. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 8. Cale Samberg, Burlington.

Heat 02 --  1. John Richardson, Morning Sun; 2. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 3. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson; 4. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 5. Jimmy Hayes, Moravia; 6. Robert Kephart, Donnellson; 7. Derek Deltmann, Monona; 8. Randy Reed, Quincy, Ill..

Heat 03 --  1. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk; 2. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 3. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 4. Bobby Six;; 5. Rick Barlow, Jr., Keokuk; 6. Eric Rowley, Bulrington; 7. Cody Henbes, Postville; 8. Roger Krieger, Bulington.

Heat 04 --  1. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 2. Tanner Thomann, Middletown; 3. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 4. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington; 5. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 6. Bob Lynch, Ottumwa; 7. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 8. Doug Fenton, Burlington.

IMCA Modifieds
A-Main 01 --  1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 3. Brandon Banks, Washington; 4. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington; 5. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 6. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 7. Dean McGee, Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 8. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 9. Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 10. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 11. Chris Larson, Keokuk; 12. Josh Foster, Montrose; 13. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 14. Michael Bliven, Quincy, Ill.; 15. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 16. Jason Riegel, Memphis, Mo.; 17. Mike Schump, Iowa City; 18. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 19. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 20. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 21. Dan Wenig, Burlington; 22. Jim Redman, Mt. Pleasant; 23. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 24. Mike Dains, Mechanicsville; 25. Bill Roberts, Burlington.

B-Main 01 --  1. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 2. Michael Bliven, Quincy, Ill.; 3. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 4. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 5. Mike Schump, Iowa City; 6. Adam Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 7. Derek Goble, Burlington; 8. Ryan Gildan, Quincy, Ill.; 9. Dave Cloke, Burlington; 10. Don Wharton, Central Point; 11. Phillip Cossel, Montrose.

B-Main 02 --  1. Dean McGee, Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 2. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 3. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 4. Jim Redman, Mt. Pleasant; 5. Dan Wenig, Burlington; 6. Brad Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 7. Frankie Wellman, Quincy, Ill.; 8. Kelly Pestka, Marion; 9. Tom Pestka, Robins; 10. Charles Baker, Labelle, Mo.; 11. Bob Jennings, Mt. Pleasant.

Heat 01 --  1. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 2. Josh Foster, Montrose; 3. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 4. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 5. Brad Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 6. Mike Schump, Iowa City; 7. Frankie Wellman, Quincy, Ill.; 8. Don Wharton, Central Point.

Heat 02 --  1. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 2. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington; 3. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 4. Dean McGee, Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 5. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 6. Charles Baker, Labelle, Mo.; 7. Derek Goble, Burlington; 8. Dan Wenig, Burlington.

Heat 03 --  1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 3. Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 4. Michael Bliven, Quincy, Ill.; 5. Jim Redman, Mt. Pleasant; 6. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 7. Kevin Cale, Donnellson.

Heat 04 --  1. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 2. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 3. Mike Dains, Mechanicsville; 4. Tom Pestka, Robins; 5. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 6. Bob Jennings, Mt. Pleasant; 7. Ryan Gildan, Quincy, Ill..

Heat 05 --  1. Jason Riegel, Memphis, Mo.; 2. Brandon Banks, Washington; 3. Chris Larson, Keokuk; 4. Dave Cloke, Burlington; 5. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 6. Adam Carson, Colchester, Ill.; 7. Kelly Pestka, Marion.

IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main 01 --  1. Jeff Mueller, New London; 2. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 3. Ryan Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 4. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 5. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 6. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 7. Greg Johnson, Burlington; 8. Bert McDaniel, Eldon; 9. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 10. Patty Fosaaen, Waukon; 11. Patrick Mincer, Columbus Junction; 12. Mark Holt, Memphis, Mo.; 13. Eric Flander, Barnes City; 14. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 15. Rod Staats, Columbus Junction; 16. Doug Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 17. Ray Raker, Danville; 18. Corey Strothman, New London; 19. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 20. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 21. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, Ill.; 22. Kale Foster, Quincy, Ill.; 23. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 24. Derek Obelle, Evasdale.

Heat 01 --  1. Bert McDaniel, Eldon; 2. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 3. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 4. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 5. Eric Flander, Barnes City; 6. Mark Holt, Memphis, Mo.; 7. Greg Johnson, Burlington; 8. Corey Strothman, New London.

Heat 02 --  1. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, Ill.; 2. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 3. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 4. Jeff Mueller, New London; 5. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 6. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 7. Patty Fosaaen, Waukon; 8. Rod Staats, Columbus Junction.

Heat 03 --  1. Ryan Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 2. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 3. Patrick Mincer, Columbus Junction; 4. Kale Foster, Quincy, Ill.; 5. Derek Obelle, Evasdale; 6. Ray Raker, Danville; 7. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 8. Doug Huls, Carthage, Ill..