Because of time, there was no qualifying and we just ran heat and feature races. In the first round of heat races, I started 5th and finished fourth right on the bumper of Sammy Imel, the 2006 Kenyon midget runner up who was also running a regional midget that night.

Starting eigth in the the first feature, I wound up finishing 6th with a very loose race car. It was a disappointment for sure. Not that sixth is bad in the feature, but I think we're better than that.

After a short intermission, we were back to racing. This round, again due to the lack of time, we only ran the feature. USAC

Never before has a single night of USAC racing featured six different main events. The Kenyon Midgets, Ford Focus, and Regional Midgets will provide the action on the high-banked quarter-mile track.

"It will be two shows in one night," said promoter Don Kenyon. "The K-cars, Focus' and Regional Midgets will run hot laps, heat races, and features. And when it's over, they'll do it again."

Welch is looking forward to a full night behind the wheel.

"I'm sure it's going to be tiring," Dillon said. "But that's why I spend all the time I do working out. Hopefully it pays off on a night like this. Plus, if you're gonna get worn out, what better way to do it."

Wednesday's program begins with hot laps at

The K-cars raced on the quarter-mile track at Illiana Speedway last Wednesday (5/28) in Schereville, IN for the first time.

During the first practice session we didn't have enough gear in the car , but once we got it changed the car felt great the rest of the night.
After finishing 3rd in my heat race, I started from the pole in the feature. Mel Kenyon, my crew chief, added 10 pounds of crossweight to the car before the feature to help suit the colder temperatures and the car was great for the first half of the race.
However, after leading the first 18 laps, the car began to tighten up and Dalton Armstrong passed me. He ended up beating me to the finish line by a couple car lengths. (Mel said that if he hadn't changed the crossweight,

After finishing second in the Kenyon's first-ever feature at Illiana, Welch was awarded the victory when apparent winner Dalton Armstrong failed post-race technical inspection. Armstrong's car did not meet the mandatory weight requirement.

"I have mixed emotions," Welch said upon being congratulated for his initial victory. "I definitely pictured it coming differently than this."

Initially it looked like Welch would secure the victory on his own. After starting from the pole, Dillon beat Armstrong into turn one and led the first 18 laps of the 30 lap feature. But after pulling away for a several car length lead, Welch's car began to tighten up and

"It seems like forever since we've raced," Welch said Monday. "Seven weeks is a long time to be out of the car."

That is precisely why Sunday's test at Mt. Lawn Speedway (New Castle) was so beneficial.

Weather permitting, Welch will get plenty of time in the car next week. An open test is scheduled for Sunday (May 18) at Mt. Lawn Speedway in New Castle before returning for a race there on Thursday (May 21-22). The Anderson rainout of May 14 is being rescheduled as part of a double-header at Anderson Speedway on June

My next Kenyon race is May 14th at Anderson, and the schedule really gets going at that point. One thing is for sure, when I do get back in the car I will be comfortable. Fred Gans from Mark 1 did a custom seat for me and it's really nice. Mark 1 does a lot of seats for IndyCar drivers and I feel lucky that Fred took the time to do mine. Thanks Fred!!!

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