The passing of Greg Weld sadly concluded one family’s generation of sterling racing results, be it on countless tracks or in the creative construction of any number of modifieds and sprint cars.
Greg had a cherubic face and was of fair stature, but behind the wheel of a race car, he was one of the most determined drivers seen by many fans during the late 1950s through the early 1970s.
The Weld family’s involvement in racing lasted a number of years and in the process they established a Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway legacy among other things. One account described the Weld operation as the “most formidable in the Midwest.”
Greg, whose dad, Taylor (oft-times referred to as Pappy), became addicted to the sport, and his Kansas City garage became something of a mecca for area racers.
Taylor’s primary task dealt with working on passenger cars, yet evenings were devoted to working on supermodifieds. The cars were to be driven by his sons — Jerry, Greg and Kenny. Greg, born in 1944, started off his career while still in his teens, competing at tracks in and around the Kansas City region.
With a clear vision, Greg determined early on that he did not want to be a mechanic, but an engineer. However, within the Weld “environment,” he started racing and found it fulfilling, so he continued competing.
Driving family-owned cars, the Weld brothers quickly began establishing remarkable accomplishments.
Greg Weld won the 1963 Knoxville Nationals at age 19. It proved to be a splendid example of Weld’s determination. We might note that brother Kenny, a year younger, won the Knoxville Nationals four times.
Greg Weld moved onto win the IMCA rookie of the year in his only season of competition with the organization. In 1965, he graduated to the USAC sprint-car division and finished second in the standings, just two and a half points behind Johnny Rutherford.
While Greg preferred to drive his own car, he received a call from Illinois car owner, Dr. Ward Dunseth to drive his car in 1967. The doctor agreed to the following arrangement — $200 to Greg for each track appearance, a significant percentage of any winnings, all trophies and the doctor paying all travel expenses. The deal paid off with the USAC sprint-car championship. It made Weld, USAC’s youngest champion at age 23.
As with other open-wheel drivers, Greg wanted to run the Indy 500. Although he passed the rookie test with ease, he failed to make the field for several years for one reason or another.
In 1966, he hooked up with Andy Granatelli at Indy, who had entered the STP four-wheel drive Novi/Lotus. The car was beset with mechanical issues, and there were several wall-smacking episodes. On the last day of qualifying, Greg was running hot and heavy when one of the eight u-joints let go, and it landed in the car’s cockpit between his legs.
As a consequence, the Granatelli Novi had reached the end of the famed race car’s career, making Weld the last of an outstanding group of speedsters to handle the legendary Novi.
Greg Weld returned to the Speedway and made the show for the first time in 1970.
Greg Weld started a racing wheel business in 1967, while still engaged in racing. In doing so, another dream was to be fulfilled. Under Greg’s guidance, Weld Racing Wheels grew into a highly regarded and nationally known racing-wheel manufacturer.
Years later, Greg Weld accepted an offer to sell the firm. Greg Weld was also involved in the Kansas City real estate market until his death Aug. 4.
The Weld era is over as Jerry died in a Kansas City street accident and Kenny succumbed to cancer. Yet, the Weld family racing history remains strong and vivid.