By Robin Smith Meiser

As many of his fellow drivers already know, North Fort Myers modified mini stock driver Frank Welch is a very persistent man. The 2000 Big Wheels Mini Stock champion at Charlotte County Speedway waited four years to earn that title after being points leader for three years in a row going into the last race of season and seeing those championships go to other drivers after suffering minor mechanical problems each year.

Persistence wasn't much of a factor though in his domination of the Suncoast Custom Pools Little Vic's Concession Modified Mini Special race at CCS on April 28. Twenty-four of Florida's finest modified mini stock drivers participated in the 75-lap race. Cape Coral's Steve Arnold and Lehigh Acres driver Ronnie Allen shared the front row while Welch had to settle for starting seventh which turned out to be his lucky number.

Welch sat back patiently the first 25 laps of the race, watching as Cape Coral's Danny Yates, who shares the points lead in the modified mini stock division with Welch, and Allen were involved in an incident that brought out the caution flag for the first time on Lap 4 which sent Allen to the rear of the field.

Welch watched as Yates took the lead from Arnold on Lap 7 and knew that Allen was making his way back up through the field to be in fifth position by Lap 13 as he sat in third place, waiting for the right moment to take the lead. By Lap 22, he knew he had to make his move soon as Allen was sitting on his back bumper in fourth position. The last thing he wanted was to give Allen a piggy back ride in the his mini station wagon/truck bed like he did in their first race of the year when Allen somehow ended up riding hitching a ride halfway around the track in the back of the "Grim Reaper".

On Lap 29, he made his move and moved into the lead while Allen moved into third with the help of lapped traffic. By the time of the mandatory pit stop on Lap 35, it was a three-man race with Welch, Yates and Allen. When the race restarted the three played bumper tag back and forth with their three-car freight train. Several times Yates and Allen tried to pass Welch on the outside but Welch was persistent and stood his ground. Calamity was bound to strike and it did on Lap 64 when Yates and Allen came together between Turns 3 and 4. Yates went to the pits with a flat tire and Allen went to the rear of the much-reduced field of cars. This gave Welch total control of the remaining laps and he brought home victory in the "Grim Reaper", followed by long absent modified mini legend Jimmy Warram and the relentless Allen who came back to finish third.

Welch's wife Connie; stepson Justin Degrande; brother-in-law Paul White; and crew members Bill Dunbar and Al Vojir gathered in Victory Circle to wait for Welch to climb out for pictures. Meanwhile, Allen pulled in the pits, got out of his car and grabbed Connie Welch to pose in his picture with him, a far cry from their relationship a few short months ago.

It is only to due to a great deal of persistence on Welch's part that the "Grim Reaper" sits in Victory Circle. Last year, the tech man told him he could build a mini race truck with a 1973 Ford Pinto chassis and a Ford F150 after market body. After it was built, he was not allowed to race it at CCS until he made some alterations and turned into a station wagon. His persistence paid off though as he finally got his much coveted championship.

With a championship under his belt, he started the 2001 season off by winning two out of five of the World Series of Asphalt Racing Mini Stock races at New Smyrna Speedway during Speedweeks. He has also won a regular division race at DeSoto Speedway, as well as two wins at Charlotte County Speedway. He led 52 laps of a 100 lapper at DeSoto but pulled a shifter which took him out of the race. He also recently made a trip to Bronson Speedway where he finished third. Not bad for a racing season not even three months complete.

Welch is very grateful for the support he has from his family including parents Fred and Martha; as well as other "honorary" pit crew members Wendy Jenkins and T.C. Collins. He is lucky enough to have the backing of good sponsors such as All Engines, Amszoil, Suncoast Custom Pools, Prime Time Signs, and Marty Motors Bart Corlieto who does his chassis set-up. Welch's own business, C&F Excavating also contributes to his racing venture.

The next thing up Welch's sleeve is to drive the limited late model he bought from Kent McLean that took Mike "Hobo" Hovis to the 1999 limited late model championship at CCS. With Welch's persistence, a set of new tires and a refreshed motor maybe he will see a second championship or at least rookie of the year in 2002.

-Robin Smith Meiser

Note: Welch also won the Mini Stock Challenge att Orlando Speedworld on May 4th. THE STORY!

Frank Welch Interview!

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