Dillon Welch will pilot a USAC Midget for legendary car owner Bob East during the 2010 racing season.

“To have the opportunity to drive for someone like Bob is an honor,” the 16 year old Welch said.  “It really is a dream come true for me.”

East and his company, East Enterprises, builds the Beast chassis that is a household name in open-wheel circle-track racing.  As a car owner, East has campaigned rides for a long list of champions including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler and Bobby East.

Welch, who won the USAC Kenyon Midget Series championship in 2009, will make his debut in the USAC Regional Midget Series on May 15 in Columbus, Ohio.  The full-size midget car features nearly three-times the horsepower of the Kenyon Midget he raced last year.

“It’s the

Hello everyone!  It's been a while!

I haven't had very much to write about lately, at least from a racing standpoint.  I could have written about school but there is only so much one can take reading about school, right?  Although, I did get straight-A’s last grading period which made me proud.  Anyway, you came to read about racing, so let’s talk about some racing.

We will be announcing our racing program very soon.  I can tell you that I will be running a “midget” in USAC’s regional schedule.  The “regional midget” is the same size chassis as the Kenyon midget I've run the past 3 years, but the regional car has nearly three times the horsepower.  More than 300 horsepower for a 900 lbs. car...so they move pretty quick.

(Photo courtesy:

USAC Triple Crown driving champion Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz. anchored the winning team in Saturday’s 13th Annual “Fun at Fastimes” three-hour karting enduro in Indianapolis, Ind, saluting the life of the late Crocky Wright and benefiting the USAC Benevolent Foundation.

Coons and co-captain Shannon McIntosh scored a narrow 7.3-second victory in the event at the two-story indoor karting facility. Winning team members also included 2009 USAC Kenyon Midget Champion Dillon Welch and recent USAC/SMRS Fort Worth, Tex. feature winner Danny Stratton, plus Chris Wilner, Nick Bushmann. Tim Kreech and Andrew Prather. The first and second-place teams completed 380 laps each.

(Photo courtesy Dave Gansert)

Books chronicling the first 50-years of USAC and team championship medals were

"Good food.  Good racers.  Good time."

That is how Dillon Welch summed up Hoosier Auto Racing Fans (HARF) 58th annual awards dinner Sunday (1/31/10) at the Brickyard Crossing Resort and Inn.

The 16 year old Welch, who captured the 2009 Kenyon Midget Series championship, was one of many drivers honored for his racing achievements.

"There were some of the sport's best, past and present, at the banquet," Welch said.  "It's cool to be someplace where everyone in attendance shares the same passion."

HARF is one of the nation's oldest auto racing fan clubs.  It promotes a better understanding of the sport, and better sportsmanship within the sport's ranks, while honoring some of racing's best in the midwest.

PHOTO: Courtesy John

Validated Custom Solutions (VCS) is returning as a sponsor of Welch Racing for the 2010 season.   This marks the fourth consecutive season VCS has been on the car of driver Dillon Welch.

"I am thrilled VCS has come on-board again this year," Welch said.  "Mike Martin and Dan Fillenwarth at VCS have been great supporters of our race team, and it means a lot to me personally that a company of VCS' stature backs our program."

USAC champions.  It is a long and prestigous list.  Some of the greatest racers ever to grip a steering wheel have their name on that list.

Now, Dillon Welch has his name on that list too.

The 2009 USAC Kenyon Midget Series champion was recognized January 8th at the governing body's annual awards banquet at the elegant Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

"Stepping on that stage with all the other 2009 champions was a huge honor for me," Welch said.  "There was some incredible talent on that stage."

Bud Kaeding (Silver Crown), Levi Jones (Sprint Car) and Brad Kuhn (Midget) were the featured guests after winning national championships in their respective divisions.

"As a champion of a regional series," Welch commented, "I'm very appreciative of USAC recognizing my championship

It is billed as "Night of Champions", and Dillon Welch is thrilled to be one of those who will be in the spotlight.  He earned it by scoring six victories enroute to the 2009 Kenyon Midget Series championship.

The United State Auto Club (USAC) will roll out the red carpet and honor its 2009 champions Friday night January 8th at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

The music duo of Dave and Rae will entertain the audience, but the biggest stars will be those who separated themselves from the racing competition in 2009.

Silver Crown titleist Bud Kaeding of Campbell, Calif., Sprint Car champ Levi Jones of Brownsburg, Ind., and Midget champion Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind. are the National Series Champions who will be honored during the ceremonies.

But those three