Dillon Welch Racing

OPEN HOUSE A SUCCESS

Dillon — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:52:41 +0000

Fun, food, and philanthrophy were the themes as race car driver Dillon Welch hosted an “open house” at 9-Racing in Brownsburg, IN on Wednesday evening January 25.

More than 200 people toured the race shop, walked through the haulers and got up close with the race cars. Some even squeezed into the seat normally occupied by the 18 year old Welch. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse catered the event.

A rare public chance for an inside look at 9-Racing

“It was a great opportunity for friends, family, sponsors, and prospective sponsors to get a closer look at our racing program,” Welch said. “Everyone was very impressed.”

The evening also featured a pair of special announcements, including a check presentation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana.

Dillon presents check to Leslie Bush of Alzheimer's Association

“I host a bowling event each summer here in Indianapolis,” the high school senior explained. “I then give those proceeds to a local charity and I was so happy to help the Alzheimer’s Association.”

Additionally, Welch announced a partnership with Sheltering Wings, a central-Indiana facility that provides a safe haven for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.

“Racing for Wings is an educational program we’ve designed emphasizing the signs and dangers of bullying and date violence,” Welch said. “It’s another opportunity for me to use my platform as a race car driver to make a positive impact in the community.”

Winning races and making a difference in the community are Welch’s two primary goals. He took some steps toward accomplishing those goals Wednesday night.

Dillon Welch’s “open house” at 9-Racing in Brownsburg

Dillon — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:34:19 +0000

This Wednesday Jan. 25, racecar driver Dillon Welch will be hosting an “open house” at 9-Racing in Brownsburg. It lasts from 4-8pm (come & go as you wish), tour the shop, see the cars, kids welcome to sit in the race cars, get some food (catered by Ruth’s Chris).

At 6pm, Dillon will make a check presentation to the local Alzheimers Association, the beneficiary of his Bowling With The Stars event from this past summer. Also, a special partnership with Sheltering Wings will be announced that will be another example of how Dillon uses his racing as a vehicle to do good within the community.

I really hope you can make it by. Here is address for race shop.

RSVP appreciated, but not necessary to attend
Email: info@dillonwelch.com

Nine Racing
451 Southpoint Circle
Suite 300
Brownsburg, IN 46112
www.nineracing.com

DILLON’S THOUGHTS ON THE SEASON FINALE

Dillon — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:50:23 +0000

Well, another season has come and gone…unfortunately. It always makes the beginning of the off season a little bit better though if you finish off the year strong. I feel like I did that so that helps ease the transition.

I drove the 9 Racing ClubSport/St.Vincent Sports Performance/Z-Line Designs Beast in Iriwndale, CA for the 71st annual Turkey Night Grand Prix on Thanksgiving night. It was the culmination of a great week.

I arrived in Southern California on Sunday night. We tested on Monday and things went alright. We fought a tight car most of the evening, and that had us scratching our heads a little bit. We made a lot of changes and I even tried a different line but we still had the push.

Tuesday I made a sponsor appearance at the Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo. It was great to take a show car there and meet many of the guests who were staying at the hotel or working out at the club. Many were very interested in seeing my car and learning more about my career as a racer.

Dillon and the 9 at ClubSport appearance in Aliso Viejo

Wednesday officially kicked off Turkey Night. It was an open test for everyone who was entered in the race. Once agian we were pretty tight, but at the end we bolted on some new tires and the car felt much better. Ending the night on a positive note gave me even more confidence headed into raceday.

Unfortunately, Thursday began the same as Monday and Wednesday…tight. We qualified 20th out of 35 cars and I must admit I was disappointed and discouraged.

My teammate Levi Roberts started 23rd and my plan was to just try and work my way up through the field with him. He got some openings at the start and passed about seven cars in the first lap, so needless to say I was on my own.

Irwindale is probably the best pavement track for a midget. It’s progressively banked, and this provides for some great racing and passing opportunities. Last year I started 28th and moved my way up through the field, so I wasn’t as surprised to see some of the moves people were making this time around.

My car was working really good and a caught a break by avoiding a big wreck in turn 3, I was up to 9th with 12 laps to go. Trying to pass for eighth, I got out of the groove and just about knocked down the fence and lost four or five spots. I was kicking myself big time for costing the team, and myself, a ton of spots after I’d worked so hard to pass them. A restart with 8 to go gave me an opportunity for redemption and I too advantage, getting up on the wheel and passing my up to the 8th spot. I dove for 7th on the last corner, but just ran out of race track.

Needless to say, I was pleased with 8th. Former USAC great Dave Steele was my crew chief for the week and he was a great help. Having him offering advice and making decisions regarding the car and tires provided me with a lot of confidence. Thanks to Dave, plus Glenn Martin and Krieg Poland for a very fun second half of the 2011 season. I really enjoyed working with all the 9 guys, and they really made it fun to be at the race track.

Of course, I owe a big thank you to car owner Steve Lewis. Steve really worked with us this year to get me in the car mid-season and made me feel like I’d been with the team for years. Aside from being a great car owner, he’s a great guy. He put my friend Chris Wilner and me up at his house the first few days of our west coast adventure, and gave us the keys to his Suburban, telling us to “go wherever we want, just don’t wreck it”.

Most of all, I can’t say thank you enough to all of our sponsors/supporters this season. Our mid-season struggles could have derailed the rest of our season, but you all stepped up and helped get me back in the seat. I will forever be grateful for that, and your continued support in general. A special thanks to Steve Gilmour from ClubSport, Ralph Reiff of St. Vincent Sports Performance, and Jim & Monica Sexton of Z-Line Designs.

None of it would be possible without the support and cooperation of my mom, dad and sisters. They sacrifice in ways only a “racing family” would understand. Love you all!

While there are parts of this season I term successful, there is so much room to grow. I’m working to get better everyday as a driver and we’re constantly working on improving our racing program. I’m confident big strides will be made in the off-season.

-Dillon

STRONG RUN AT TURKEY NIGHT

Dillon — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:42:55 +0000

Dillon Welch charged from deep in the field for an impressive top-10 finish at the 71st Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix in Irwindale, California Thursday night.

After qualifying 20th and starting on the outside of Row 10, Welch began moving forward at the drop of the green flag and ultimately finished in eighth place. The surge was highlighted by a furious finish following a late caution. When the final restart occurred with seven laps remaining, the 18 year old racer was in 12th place; but driving with a not-to-be-denied aggression, he picked off four cars in the final laps.

“I had just lost 3 or 4 spots prior to the yellow when my car got loose and I almost hit the wall in turn four,” Welch said afterwards. “It really frustrated me because I knew we were better than where we were, and I just attacked those final laps with everything I had left in the car.”

Whether running the high line alongside the wall for momentum, or dropping to the low side for an inside pass, Welch was able to put his ClubSport/St.Vincent Sports Performance/Z-Line Designs #9 machine wherever needed.

“We struggled with a push the whole time we were here,” Welch said. “But we made a change in the right front just before the Feature and the car just came alive.”

The strong finish was a great way to end weeks of preparation, travel, and testing spearheaded by 9-Racing team owner Steve Lewis.

“Our preparation is a tribute to Steve and his commitment to the success of this team,” Welch said. ”At the track Dave Steele, Glenn Martin, Kreig Poland, Mike Reid…everybody just kept working on the car and refused to give up. I’m glad I could give a drive worthy of all the work they put in.”

Primary sponsor for Dillon’s Turkey Night 9-car was Renaissance ClubSport, a contemporary boutique hotel and full-service sports club in Aliso Viejo, California. On Tuesday, Dillon visited the hotel to greet guests and show them his race car.

“I can’t thank (ClubSport owner) Steve Gilmour enough for his support of my racing program, not just for Turkey Night but all season long,” Dillon said. ”To have people I admire show their confidence in me is both humbling and motivating.”

-0-

71st Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix final results (98 laps): 1. Caleb Armstrong, 2. Darren Hagen, 3. Bryan Clauson, 4. Kyle Larson, 5. Kody Swanson, 6. Brad Kuhn, 7. Chris Windom, 8. Dillon Welch, 9. Evan Margeson, 10. Levi Roberts, 11. Kyle Hamilton, 12. Mario Clouser, 13. Bobby East, 14. Billy Wease, 15. Robby Josett, 16. Taylor Ferns, 17. David Prickett, 18. David Byrne, 19. Dakoda Armstrong, 20. David Goodwill, 21. Cory Kruseman, 22. Troy DeCaire, 23. Dalton Armstrong, 24. Tracy Hines, 25. Bobby Santos III, 26. Tanner Swanson, 27. Alex Bowman, 28. Jason Leffler, 29. Shannon McQueen, 30. Chad Nichols, 31. Scott Pierovich, 32. Nick Chivello, 33. Adam Kramer, 34. Ben Petter, 35. Travis Berryhill. NT

DILLON’S BOWLING WITH THE STARS SUPPORTS ALZHEIMER’S ASSOC.

Dillon — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:37:06 +0000

More than 200 people turned out August 28 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis to support Dillon Welch and his “Bowling with the Stars” fundraiser. The 17 year old race car driver hosts the celebrity-studded event and then shares the proceeds with a local charity.

“This year we split the proceeds with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indianapolis,” the young racer said. “It’s an opportunity to use our racing program as a vehicle to help others, and that’s important to me.”

Forty bowling foursomes were joined by local celebrities such as Josh McRoberts of the Indiana Pacers, IndyCar Series driver Jay Howard, Hall of Fame bowler Mike Aulby, as well as many other local media personalities including Blue2, mascot of Butler University. Indianapolis television station FOX-59 covered the event and showed video clips and comments from Welch on their 10pm newscast.

“I really appreciate everyone coming out to support our event,” Welch said. “It’s not about being a good bowler but having fun; it’s just an opportunity to have fun for a good cause.”

Participants were also able to see Welch’s St. Vincent Sports Performance/Z-Line Designs/ClubSport race car up close, and even sit in it. Popular silent auction items included a private tour of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters, court-time on the Indiana Pacers home floor at Conseco Fieldhouse, and a party for 25 at Chipotle.

“There’s something for everyone,” Welch said. “The Indiana University cheerleaders were even there again this year too which is always cool.”

Racing is his passion and there’s nowhere Welch would rather be than in the seat of his race car, but in his mind, being a race car driver doesn’t stop when he gets out of the seat. What you do off-track is becoming more and more a part of a racer’s life, and that’s just fine with Dillon Welch.

I hate bad days in racing

Dillon — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:10:20 +0000

We almost had one of those last Saturday in Columbus.

I was back behind the wheel of the 9 car this past weekend. Not having been on pavement since the end of July, I was excited to get things going. Our day certainly didn’t get off on the right foot though.

First hot lap session, someone was laying oil down on the track. I drove into the corner with an already loose race car and when I hit that oil, around I went. I broadsided the wall, which was probably the best thing that could’ve happened. The only visible damage was to the front axle, which we changed and I was able to get out in time for the second hot lap session.

All night I was just super loose. We couldn’t figure out what the deal was. Nothing we changed had any affect on the balance of the car. I spun out 2 times in the 8 lap heat race, and needless to say was not looking forward to having to run 30 more laps in the feature.

It’s times like this though that make me appreciative that I signed to drive with Nine Racing. After further investigation before the feature, we discovered that the right rear shock wasn’t doing it’s job. The right-side shocks are supposed to compress when you turn the wheel, and then de-compress as you come off the corner and transfer weight back to the left side of the car. Our right rear tire was blistering, and our left rear wasn’t even hot and that’s when we found the bad shock. It would compress, but not de-compress which kept all the weight on the right rear tire which was why the car was super loose.

We put on a new shock and new right rear tire, but still had a few concerns. The setup on the car should have made it very, very tight. When we put the new shock on, we had no data from earlier in the day about what the car would do “normally”. Our feature setup was a stab in the dark, but a very good one. I started 11th, put ‘er on the top shelf and wound up in 5th. The third and fourth place cars were literally right in front of me, I just ran out of laps.

A big thank you to Glenn Martin, Krieg Poland, and Billy Wease for everything they did this weekend. I know it was stressful for them because no matter what they tried, it didn’t work. I have a feeling that a lesser crew wouldn’t have found that bad shock until they took the car apart back at the shop, so having them working the wrenches was, and will always be, a big plus.

All things considered, 5th place was tolerable. Bad days in racing come along every once in a while, but what can you do. We’ll move on to Toledo on October 15th and try again.

Thanks for checking in!

-Dillon
#9

Bowling With The Stars

Dillon — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:53:39 +0000

Dillon with Hall of Fame bowler Mike Aulby from last year’s event

Woodland Bowl on the northside of Indianapolis will once again be the site of a fundraiser event hosted by Dillon Welch. The 17 year old racer will split proceeds from the second annual Bowling WithThe Stars with the Alheimer’s Association of Indiana. The event will be held on Sunday August 28. Registration begins at 4pm.

“It’s a great time and it’s for everybody,” Dillon said. “Some foursomes are made up of family members, some are classmates, some are adults having a day out with friends. We just want everyone to have fun and know that they are helping.”

Bowlers register in advance but can register as a solo participant or register as a foursome. Lane sponsorships and event sponsorships are also available.

“The idea started as a fundraiser for my racing program,” Dillon said. “But then we thought it would be even better if we could help others along the way.”

Last year the debut event benefitted the central Indiana chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. More than 200 bowlers participated in 2010 as local celebrities participated with 40 lanes of bowling foursomes. There was a silent auction, help from the IU Cheerleaders, and great food from 96th Street Steakburgers. Hall of Fame bowler Mike Aulby was one of the celebrity bowlers and thrilled everyone by rolling a perfect game of 300.

“It was really cool,” Dillon said. “Perfect games are nothing new to Mike but I think even he got a kick out of everyone else enjoying it so much.”

More highlights are anticipated this year with the main goals of having great family fun while raising funds and generating awareness for Alheimer’s Association.

Alzheimers is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.

“So many people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease,” Dillon said. “It’s not just those that have Alzheimer’s who have it difficult but also those who have to care for them.”

If you are interested in participating as a bowler or sponsor, see the registration forms availabe here at DillonWelch.com, email info@dillonwelch.com, or call Josh Laycock at (317) 796-3289.

IN THE 9, AND RACING AGAIN

Dillon — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:08:57 +0000

It feels so good to be reporting on some news from an actual race. It’s been almost a month since I’ve gotten to do that!

I made my debut in Steve Lewis’s 9 midget on July 28 at Lucas Oil Raceway (IRP). As part of Kroger Speedfest, this race has been around for a long time. I grew up coming to this race a lot and I always dreamed of driving the 9 midget, so this was a neat opportunity for me to debut in my “dream ride” in a race that I really have grown to respect.

We had tested the week before so I felt confident, but for some reason we struggled a little bit in practice. The car was tight at the beginning of practice, and loose at the end of it so we were scratching our heads.

In qualifying, the crew got the car just right, but the driver didn’t quite do his part. I think I underdrove the car just a tick, and as a result we qualified 12th.

USAC canceled the heat races because there were only 19 midgets, so we had a 6 hour break after qualifying before the feature. I wanted to get out of the heat and so did most everyone else, so a few other drivers and I left the track and went to a restaurant and had an early dinner. It was fun getting to hang out with those guys away from the track and I enjoyed it a lot.

Feature time finally rolled around and I began to work my way forward from 12th. This race was only 30 laps, so there was a very small margin for error regarding driving too hard and not hard enough. I wore it out too soon, and at the end of the race was really just trying to hang on to a very loose car. I came home with a 10th place finish, and a ton of great experience. The racing was intense, but a lot of fun. I had a camera on my car, and we’ll get the video on the website soon. As you’ll be able to see my hands were full.

As for the next night–July 29–at the Speedrome, I held off Daren Hagen to win the Heat race but the Feature was rained out. A make-up date has not yet, but will be announced.

A big thanks goes out to my crew: Glenn Martin, Krieg Poland, Dave Steele, Chuck Gurney Jr., and of course my car owner Steve Lewis. I really enjoy working with these guys. The atmosphere is always very fun and relaxed, but serious when it needs to be. And that’s the way I think it should be.

Thanks for checking in, and happy racing!

-Dillon

Dillon Welch Earns Top-10 at Lucas Oil Raceway

Dillon — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 01:45:46 +0000

Brownsburg, Indiana (July 29, 2011) — Seventeen-year-old and experienced midget racer Dillon Welch climbed into the #9 midget for his first race driving for the Nine Racing team at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 28, and brought the car home in 10th place.

Dillon started the night by qualifying 12th for the USAC Mopar National Midget Series event, but was able to gain a few positions during the 30-lap feature race.

“Growing up here in Indiana, I always enjoyed watching the #9 midgets, and now to be able to actually drive the car in front of my home crowd was a dream come true,” said Dillon. “I definitely learned a lot tonight from the help of my crew chief Glenn Martin, which I’ll be sure to apply for my next race tomorrow.”

“Dillon drove a steady race and he is already showing signs that he is open to learn and how he can improve as a race car driver,” added Steve Lewis, Nine Racing Team Owner. “We look forward to working with Dillon for the remainder of the USAC Mopar National Midget Pavement series.”

Dillon’s next race will be tonight at the Bryant Heating & Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome, again in the #9 midget.

Dillon Welch is sponsored by St. Vincent Sports Performance, Z-Line Designs, The Studio, BioStorage Technologies, CASE Remodeling, Validated Custom Solutions, Sullivan Hardware, Brownsburg Muffler, Average Joe’s, Row Printing and Windsor Jewelers.

Nine Racing’s 2011 sponsor lineup includes K&N Engineering, Eibach Springs, Weld Racing, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Friction Brakes, ASE, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, SSi Decals, PJ1, and Hoosier Racing Tire.

Dillon Welch Joins Nine Racing

Dillon — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:16:43 +0000

Brownsburg, Indiana (July 25, 2011) —Dillon Welch, of Carmel, Indiana, has signed
with the Nine Racing midget team for the remaining four USAC Mopar National Midget
Pavement events.

In a decade of racing that started with 1/4 midgets at the Mini Indy Track in
Indianapolis, Indiana, seventeen-year-old Dillon Welch gained valuable racing
experience as he progressed up through the ranks. He also drove Kenyon Midgets for
Mel Kenyon before he started racing in the USAC Regional Midget series for car owner
Bob East. Now Dillon Welch will finish the 2011 USAC Mopar National Midget Pavement
Series in the seat of the Nine Racing #9 midget.

Welch will drive the Nine Racing machine for the four remaining pavement races on
the USAC National Midget schedule. Two of those dates are high-profile events in
central Indiana during Brickyard 400 week. Welch will compete Thursday, July 28, at
Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, and Friday, July 29, at the Bryant Heating & Cooling
Indianapolis Speedrome. An October 22 date at Lucas Oil Raceway and the annual
Turkey Night Grand Prix on November 24 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, in
California, will round out the schedule.

“We are very pleased to have Dillon join our Nine Racing program,” Steve Lewis
said. “I have known Dillon since he was probably eight or nine years old and he has
worked hard throughout his young career. Dillon has gathered an extensive amount of
‘open wheel’ experience in a short period of time. He has won at all levels and has
shown great promise this season at the competitive USAC Mopar National Midget
Pavement Series events. We are very pleased to have Dillon on board for the remainder
of the season.”

Throughout the years the young racer, who has a keen sense of the sport’s history,
always dreamed of driving the famed 9 cars for Lewis.

“For so long the #9 car has been the standard of greatness with drivers like Stan
Fox, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Dave Darland, Jason Leffler, JJ Yeley, and on and
on,” Welch said. “With its history, it’s an honor to have the chance to drive the #9 car.”

After beginning his racing career at age seven in quarter midgets, where Welch won
multiple championships, he moved up to Kenyon Midgets and captured the series title
piloting a car wrenched by hall of fame driver Mel Kenyon. The next stop was the USAC
Regional Midget Series where Welch made multiple trips to victory lane while driving for
legendary car builder Bob East.

“I’ve been blessed to learn from some of the best at every level,” Welch said. “And
that will continue with Steve’s team at Nine Racing.”

Despite having only a handful of USAC National Midget Series starts, Welch has
demonstrated that he can go wheel to wheel with the sport’s best. Earlier this season,
the rookie drew notice with the fastest qualifying time for the USAC Mopar National
Midget Series event at the Milwaukee Mile.

“Dillon has shown he can run up front with the National drivers,” Lewis said.
“Running up front is always good, but for Dillon Welch, doing so in the 9 car will make it
even better.”

Dillon Welch is sponsored by St. Vincent Sports Performance, Z-Line Designs, The
Studio, BioStorage Technologies, CASE Remodeling, Validated Custom Solutions,
Sullivan Hardware, Brownsburg Muffler, Average Joe’s, Row Printing and Windsor
Jewelers.

Nine Racing’s 2011 sponsor lineup includes K&N Engineering, Eibach Springs,
Weld Racing, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance
Friction Brakes, ASE, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, SSi Decals, PJ1, and Hoosier
Racing Tire.