Name:  Jason Welch
Year / Make / Model Car: 2011 Lefthander Modified
Number:  21
Class:  Modified
Years Racing: 15
Job: Director of Security, Austal USA

1. How did you get into racing?

JW: 3rd generation driver. My grandfather in his #3B Coupe (for his 3 boys), my dad in his #33 Dirt Late Model and my brother and I have all had very successful racing careers.

2. What would you be doing if you were not driving a race car?

JW: Probably doing whatever my wife wanted, a lot more traveling and long rides on the Harley.

3. People who have inspired you the most while you have raced?

JW: My dad and my brother; my dad was a very successful Late Model and Modified racer on the Northeast dirt tracks. Won a lot of races and numerous Championships before his life was cut short after a tragic snowmobile accident at age 43. My younger brother Quinny Welch is one of the all-time winningest Late Model drivers in New England with multiple track championships.

4. What is the biggest obstacle you are facing in your quest to succeed in racing?

JW: After early success in my racing career with 50+ wins, two track championships, and four Rookie of the Year awards I have struggled the last few years because of equipment and lack of knowledgeable help.  Most of that early success was attributed to my brother as he is as good a Crew Chief as he is a driver and he was always there for me when we were racing together. Now that I have relocated to the South I really need to find someone that can give me direction at these unfamiliar tracks.

5. What driver are you a fan of?

JW: Was a big Rusty Wallace fan. I like the Busch brothers and like what I see of Kyle Larson so far.

6. Out of all the race cars you have driven, which one was your favorite and why?

JW: My brother and I built a 1980 Camaro Street Stock from the ground up, won 8 feature events on way to track championship in my rookie season.

7. Pick one : CD player, I pod, 8-Track or Record player, and who do you listen to?

JW: Honestly, I only listen to Country Music on the radio.

8. What have you been doing during the off season?

JW: Working hard at Austal and preparing race car for this season. Was building a Super Stock but decided to try the Modifieds of Mayhem tour in 2015.

9. Is there any other type of race car that you’d like to drive that you haven’t yet?

JW: My new Modified, “Medusa” – haven’t made a lap in one of these yet.

10. Your best and worst moment in racing?

JW: Best moment was clinching that second straight Championship in 2006 and every time my daughter, Allyssa, strapped into her race car – worst was having my race car destroyed under a caution flag at Wake County Speedway in 2010.

11. Any local legends that you admired while coming up in Short Track Racing?

JW: My uncle, Stub Fadden, raced in the NASCAR Busch North series well into his 60’s, cigar in his mouth and all.

12. What motivates you to be the best in your racing division?

JW: Just being competitive each and every week, being in contention on that final lap and being respected by everyone on and off the track.

13. Favorite smell at the track : race gas or burning rubber?

JW: Race fuel.

14. What’s the funniest thing you have ever seen on the race track?

JW: Probably the end of the Faster Pastor race at Five Flags Speedway last summer. That wild ride / spin by the winner almost looked intentional!

15. What local driver do you have the most respect for and why?

JW: I have gotten to know Dave Mader III over the past few months. He is just an awesome guy that will help anybody, anywhere, anytime.  And by the way, he can wheel a race car with the best of them.

16. Do you have another sport you enjoy to watch or participate in?

JW: Love soccer, played in college and in the Army. Also coached my daughter and three sons from age 4 until they graduated high school.

17. What’s more important … racing for points or racing for the win?

JW: Racing for the win.

18. Your favorite track and why?

JW: I had a lot of success at White Mountain Motorsports Park in Woodstock, NH, a beautiful ¼ mile bullring nestled in the mountains of New England.

19. Which describes you best : calculating driver or kamikaze driver?

JW: Calculating.

20. Last Lap, you’re in a side by side dash for the win… who would you want to beat and why?

JW: Donnie Hamrac, he’s proven that he’s the man to beat every week.

I would like to thank my sponsors, Goldbelt Wolf who has been on board for the past eight years, and newcomers, Jimmy Jax Pizza and Calcana USA.

I would also like to thank ABC Designz, Chris Wagner for his advice and help, and my wife Sherry for letting me play on the weekends.

I am racing for my mom this year as she has been a true inspiration to me and everyone that knows her during her courageous battle with cancer.

Thanks Jason, for providing us with this information, and if anyone else would like to be featured here please contact me at ShortTrackTalk@gmail.com