PSM RACER KIETH BURLEY: MY NAME IS NOT A TYPO

Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Kieth Burley’s first name is not a typo.

“That is my mom (Susan),” Burley said. “She did it to make me different and also grammatically in the English language by the rules, my name is correct.”

The rule in the English language Burley is referring to is I before E, except after C.’

Nonetheless, Burley admitted the spelling of his first name did result in a funny story his first day of college.

“My first day in my English 101 class we had to write a short paragraph on what our favorite thing to do was,” Burley said. “I turned it in and my teacher came back and marked me off on spelling my name wrong.”

Burley, moments later, realized the teacher thought the way Kieth was spelled was a sign of deeper rooted problem.

“I walked back to the teacher and told her she marked me off on my name,” Burley said. “She said you spelled it backwards and she asked me if I was dyslexic.  I told her no, no, it is spelled that way. I said look I have my driver license.”

Little did Burley realize his license only fueled the problem.

“I got my driver’s license at 16, I never paid attention to it,” Burley said. “The driver’s license had my name spelled Keith, and I showed it to her (the teacher). She said to me ‘It’s OK if your dyslexic. It’s not something you should be ashamed of. I said I promise you it is spelled Kieth. Then I pulled out my social security card, which I knew was right. That card showed it spelled right, Kieth. I made my argument and she gave me back the one point she docked me for spelling my name wrong. I went back to the DMV the next day and I told them to change my license.”

Burley is qualified No. 13 at the U.S. Nationals, but he will have a chance to improve that position when the postponed event resumes Saturday and Sunday.

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