EASTABOGA, Ala. (Jan. 7) — Jason Welshan is known to sometimes work round-the-clock hours as he continues to build his Savage Race Cars brand into a potential car-building powerhouse in his home region, so it was an overdue respite when the Maryville, Tenn., driver and his wife Leanne took time for a week-long winter vacation to Cape Coral, Fla.
That trip was extended when the originally-scheduled Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series-sanctioned Hangover at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., fell victim to snow, cold weather and predicted rain on Jan. 1 as the calendar rolled over to a new year. The event was canceled, and Welshan made the decision to stay a few extra days in the Sunshine State, and instead made his first racing appearance of the season in the season-opening Ice Bowl (presented by Racecar Engineering) Saturday night at Talladega Short Track.
“We stayed in Florida and just chilled and relaxed, and gathered our thoughts up heading into a new season,” Welshan said. “My wife Leanne also helps me run the shop, so she’s really got two jobs because she works full time at her other job. It’s stressful at times, and we had a real good time down there on vacation. I had my head clean when we returned, and I was ready to get after it.”
Perhaps Welshan should take a vacation more frequently. The veteran driver, who won last year’s national title on the Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series with four victories during a year-long campaign in which 19 races were completed, blasted out of the gate in the organization’s winter miniseries with a flag-to-flag victory in a 40-lap main. He added exclamation points to his weekend summary by topping the qualifying session over a 41-car field with a lap clocked at 14.635 seconds, and then winning a heat race by leading from start to finish while steadily extending his lead in the preliminary event.
The Main Event Rolls
When feature time rolled around the next day, Welshan’s new Savage Race Cars entry was ready to fly, and fly it did. Welshan led every circuit in the main in what he called “a near-perfect” weekend, and registered his second-career victory in the prestigious event at the Adam Stewart-managed facility. His last win in the annual affair occurred in 2021.
Welshan left behind a late-race battle for the second spot between Booger Brooks and Jeff Smith, but the close racing between the trailing duo sent Smith spinning on the final circuit, leaving him with a 16th-place finish in the 25-car field.
Brooks continued to a runnerup finish over Trevor Side, Oakley Johns and Wyatt Wilkerson.
This One’s for Mamaw Dee
A few weeks before the victory, Welshan’s grandmother passed away, leaving an emotional hole in both his often-gentle heart, as well as his racing program. It was a huge personal hit that brought a bulky, heavy-set man to his knees, and a turn of events that still resonates with sadness as a new season dawns.
“She was more like my mother,” Welshan said, his eyes starting to show tears at the precious memories. “She took care of us, but she never went to the races. She’d call me, and always wanted to know how we’d done that night. She was afraid I’d get hurt, and she was always real protective, so she couldn’t come watch because it made her nervous. We were so close, and I know she’s the main reason I am who I am today.”
Still stinging from the loss of someone so dearly close to him, Welshan was met by his daughter Emily just outside the winner’s circle, and the pair shared a long, emotional embrace. Unspoken memories of his grandmother flowed between them, and his own perspiration from the race mixed with tears as the duo comforted each other before taking part in victory lane ceremonies.
“It’s just really tough for me…” Welshan said, his voice trailing into the distance while so many good memories appeared to swirl in his thinking patterns. It almost seemed like there wasn’t enough room in his mind for both sadness and happiness, and Emily’s unexpected presence meant much.
“My daughter…she really got me tore up and teared up with that hug,” Welshan said. “It was a really special moment. That’s about all I can say.”
A Crew Comes Together
Welshan is often first to credit his success to others in his closest circle, whether it be sponsors, supporters, volunteers or full-time employees who have been hired to continue the current upward path of his company. Savage Race Cars was started from scratch, and continues to dig away and create its own niche in a competitive industry.
“Dink Dankans actually built that race car,” Welshan said. “We just hired Kyle Courtney on a full-time basis, and it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. He’s a young guy, and already doing a great job and making a difference for us. There’s just so much going on at our shop, and now I’ve got some tremendous help as we continue to grow the deal. We decided to build my primary race car first, and apparently they did an excellent job.
“The car was just sitting there with no laps on it, and then when 411 [Motor Speedway’s Hangover] was canceled at the start of the season, we arrived at Talladega [Short Track], and we hadn’t even seated the brakes yet. I had hardly any brake pedal in that heat race we won, and had to drag the brake pedal for about eight laps. It was a fabulous, perfect weekend for us, and our first appearance for Mike Clonce Racing, who has joined us for this year. We picked a good weekend to break the ice with him, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Sponsors and Schedules
Welshan’s Hux Motorsports-fielded, Savage Race Cars-built machine carried sponsorship from J&J Trucking, Mike Clonce Racing, Fike Fabrication, Competition Racing Equipment, Team Huskey Logistics, Crate Engine Technology, Millwood Plumbing and Allen’s Pools.
The series next moves to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., for the three-day Sunshine Nationals slated Jan. 19-20, which is the third edition of an annual collaboration with DIRTcar Racing’s Pro Late Model division.
About Crate Racin’ USA
The economical Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 Circle Track Engine is utilized by competitors in the various divisions presented by Crate Racin’ USA. It’s in stock and available from Newsome Raceway Parts in Hartsville, S.C.
Each engine is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. To place an order, call 1-877-497-3624.
For more information and rules, visit the organization’s website at www.crateracinusa.com, or follow our extensive social media programs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Newsome Raceway Parts, a division of Raceway Chevrolet in Hartsville, S.C., is the title sponsor of Crate Racin’ USA. E-Z-GO Golf Carts is the title sponsor of the third-year E-Z-GO $100,000+ Challenge.
Chevrolet Performance is an official sponsor of the organization, along with Advanced Laser & Machine, Cruise with the Champions, Hoosier Racing Tire, KRC Power Steering, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, My Race Pass, VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants and Willy’s Carburetors.
Official chassis sponsors include Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis and CVR Race Cars.
Racecar Engineering Ice Bowl: 1. Jason Welshan, 2. Booger Brooks, 3. Trevor Sise, 4. Oakley Johns, 5. Wyatt Wilkerson, 6. Cory Hedgecock, 7. Jake Traylor, 8. Jake Knowles, 9. Cody Overton, 10. Joshua Bishop, 11. Jody Knowles, 12. Tucker Anderson, 13. Sawyer Crigler, 14. T.J. Brittain, 15. Jason Lively, 16. Jeff Smith, 17. Brian Smith, 18. Phillip Anderson, 19. Richie Shirey, 20. Dustin Harris, 21. Landon Bagby, 22. Chase Walls, 23. Mario Gresham, 24. Addison Cardwell, 25. Jadon Frame.
Entries: 41
Fast qualifier: Jason Welshan, 14.635 seconds
Lap leaders: 1-40.
Margin of victory: 0.970 seconds.
Cautions: 1
KRC Power Steering Heat winners: Oakley Johns, Trevor Sise, Jeff Smith, Jason Welshan.
KRC Power Steering B-main winners: Sawyer Crigler, Landon Bagby.
Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series (current points): 1. Jason Welshan, 100; 2. Booger Brooks, 96; 3. Trevor Sise, 94; 4. Oakley Johns, 92; 5. Wyatt Wilkerson, 90; 6. Cory Hedgecock, 88; 7. Jake Traylor, 86; 8. Jake Knowles, 84; 9. Cody Overton, 82; 10. Joshua Bishop, 80.