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KAYLEE GREER BENEFIT RACE
to see photos of the race go to www.carter-photography.com
 
West Point, Kentucky – April 22, 2007
   On a warm, cloudless, Spring morning of Sunday, April 22, 2007, racers, spectators, hot rodders, show car enthusiasts, people of all ages and backgrounds converged on Ohio Valley Dragway to participate in a benefit race for 8 year old Kaylee Greer. Kaylee is a Jr. Dragster driver that was seriously injured in an accident on March 31, 2007 at Ohio Valley Dragway on her first ever pass down the track.
    Upon entering the track the first things one saw were the EZ-Ups and rows of tables leading to the concession stand. The tables were full of donated items for the silent auction that went on all afternoon. There was just about anything you could imagine in the silent auction. I even saw a hand crafted wooden Corvette sitting among the items that included the much wanted and valuable bottle of Makers Mark University of Kentucky Limited Edition. Raffle tickets were being sold for other numerous items and for pit scooters. Announcements were made for a live auction to be held after the second round of eliminations. The list of items for the live auction was long and impressive. Here are some of the big ticket items that were auctioned off: a signed racing helmet from ALL the NHRA TF and FC drivers, gift certificate for Holley carb of choice, 3 bicycles, Ashley Force doll, Metro Racing Jr. Dragster performance parts, 20 inch tv, fire suit, 2 passes to the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, 2 passes for the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, John Force Racing Gear, a neon Dale Jr. Budweiser sign, 4 passes to the Indy 500, Kyle Petty drivers suit, Kyle Petty Crew Cheerios suit, Moser Engineering housing & axle package, a Rhino Lining for any size truck bed, and autographed pictures of John Force, Ashley Force and Eric Medlen.
    There were a total of 33 jr. dragsters, 122 races cars, 161 show cars and between 1,200 to 1,500 spectators that raised a total of $56,000 for Kaylee on Sunday alone from the race and auctions. To date there have been over $71,000 raised for the Greer Family. One thing in particular that stands out in everyone’s mind on the live auction was the signed helmet donated by the NHRA Fuel teams that brought over $1200. Richard Troxell of the Trox Rox jr. drag racing team purchased this helmet and turned around and presented it to Kaylee’s father Chad for Kaylee. An act of a true sportsman, a drag racer, a family man, Richard Troxell is to be commended for his kindness and generosity. Chad Greer took the stage to thank everyone for their support and generosity, his voice racked with emotion, he said he could never thank everyone enough for all they have done for his family. He presented plaques to 5 special people that are credited with saving Kaylee’s life, Tony Schindler, whose daughters race jr. dragsters, Rick Greer, his uncle and Kaylee’s great uncle, Tammy Clark, a racer’s wife, Rob Jacobs and Blake Martin, the two paramedics on duty at the track the day of the accident.
    Now on to the racing part of the day. The entire Greer Family turned out for the race. Everyone in the family races, grandpa, uncles, brothers, I believe there was probably about 7 cars that said Greer Family Racing, also known as “Mafia Racing”, on them. I had a chance to speak with Kaylee’s dad, Chad Greer, and he said that when he had shown up at the track, there sat his car. He said that, unknown to him, family and friends had taken his car that week and put a whole new interior in it, plus re-wired it and put in a new wiring panel for him. Since the car was there he decided to race and race he did. He waded through cars all day long and no one was sandbagging for him either. At the end of the quarter finals it came down to Chad Greer, Rick Greer (his uncle), and Charlie Bohannon Jr. (Chuck), for the semis. Word came up from the Bohannon pit from Chuck that he had put his car in the trailer after the quarter finals so there would be no semi-finals. He wanted the Greer’s to race for the money. Now I have known the Bohannon family for several years, and you will not find a more generous or kinder group of people to be acquainted with. Thus began the second act of the day of the unparalleled kindness and generosity exhibited by a drag racing family.
    After a few moments of car prep, uncle and nephew headed towards the starting line, the entire Greer Family and friends in tow. Everyone was wanting to know, would this be a race from start to finish, or would it be decided on the starting line? The answer to that question was soon known as they eased into the staging beams, first one, then the other lit the pre-staged bulbs, then the staged light came on in both lanes, the revving of the motors followed by a flash of the tree counting down and no sooner than it began to count down, Uncle Rick shot off the starting line to a big red light to give his nephew the win. Was it nerves or was it intentional? You decide, here are the results.
Chad Greer – Winner – DI of 6.38, RT of +0.1259, ET of 6.40 @ 105.86 mph.
Rick Greer – RU – DI of 6.76, RT of -.0139, ET of 6.89 @ 100.16 mph.
    In other related races there was two jr. dragster categories contested during the day. One group had 8 through 10 year old drivers and the other group had 11 year old and up drivers. In the 8 through 10 year old race Shelby Hartman came out the winner in the double breakout, over Tyler Bohannon, the results were:
Shelby Hartman – Winner – DI of 12.90, RT of .145, ET of 12.86 @ 49.62 mph.
Tyler Bohannon – RU - DI of 12.90, RT of .116, ET of 12.61 @ 48.80 mph.
    In the 11 year old and up group, Travis Argabright became the winner over Shauna Burnett who had a .007 redlight. The results were:
Travis Argabright – Winner – DI of 7.99, RT of .080, ET of 7.99 @ 78.95 mph.
Shauna Burnett – RU – DI of 8.00, RT of -.007, ET of 7.97 @ 82.13 mph.
    The Greer Family wishes to thank everyone who has called, emailed, mailed, prayed, donated and purchased items. The list of individuals and companies is overwhelming, however special thanks are given to the NHRA Fuel Car teams, the owners and staff at Ohio Valley Dragway, the owners and staff of US 60 Dragway, Richard Petty Racing, Bristol Motor Speedway, Holley, Bob Hook Chevrolet, John Force Racing, the racers from Ohio Valley and US 60, Drag News Magazine, Competition Plus, Metro Racing, the drag racers from Australia who held a benefit race and the Kentuckiana Drag Racers Association. To everyone involved, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Remember that this is an ongoing recovery for this young girl. A lot of time and money will be needed for her complete recovery. For anyone wishing to donate, a bank account has been established. Anyone can make donations payable to:

Kaylee Greer Recovery Account
and mail to:
Kaylee C/O Tammy Smith
8602 Old Boundary Rd
Louisville, Kentucky 40291

This photographer and author of this article is proud to be associated with such a fine group of people and companies and humbled by the generosity shown by all. May the Blessings of God always shine upon you. Kaylee, get well soon. See you at the track.Humbly submitted,
Gary W. Carter
Carter Photography
www.carter-photography.com