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Turbo Regal Obsessed
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- Nov 26, 2001
Greg Weld, Weld Wheels founder and racer dies at 64
Greg Weld, successful racer and businessman, died this week age at 64.
photo courtesy www.gregweld.com
Greg Weld, the creative visionary who took racing and custom wheels to a new level, died this week at 64 from undisclosed complications.
In addition to starting Weld Wheels on a shoestring budget, Weld was a highly successful racer, winning more than 100 sprint car races including the 1963 Knoxville Nationals, the premier event in sprint car racing, and the USAC National Sprint Car Championship at the age of 23.
Weld raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 36 career starts, including the 1970 Indianapolis 500 where he qualified as the fastest rookie qualifier. Weld was also the 1967 USAC Sprint Car Series champion.
In 1970, Weld retired as a professional racer and founded Weld Wheel Industries with $2,300 he'd saved from racing and the simple idea of building better Sprint Car wheels. Weld manufactured forged alloy wheels for various vehicles, including race cars, and was an active sponsor of the United States Auto Club series, NHRA and IHRA.
In January 2007, Weld started a new company, Greg Weld Competition Wheels. His continuous investments in technology, research and development and talented people positioned Weld to be a pioneer and undisputed leader in the aftermarket industry.
Weld was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998.
Survivors include his wife Deb, former wife Marilyn Brockman-Weld, daughter Christian Weld-Brown and sons Taylor and Brock. He also leaves behind sisters Delores Wesley, and Marilyn Burasco, and brother Ricky. Weld is also survived by his grandchildren, Marin Brown, Sophia Brown, Spencer Brown, Harley Weld, Quinton Weld, Aiden Weld, Lola Weld and numerous nieces and nephews.
Weld was predeceased by father Taylor “Pappy” Weld, mother Ella Weld and brothers Jerry and Kenny.
Services will be held on Friday August 8, 2008, at 10 a.m. at the Kansas City Baptist Temple, 5460 Blue Ridge Cut Off, Raytown, Missouri, 64133; (816) 358-1515.
Took this from Hemmings, very sad. Best looking wheels ever made in my personal opinion.
Greg Weld, successful racer and businessman, died this week age at 64.
photo courtesy www.gregweld.com
Greg Weld, the creative visionary who took racing and custom wheels to a new level, died this week at 64 from undisclosed complications.
In addition to starting Weld Wheels on a shoestring budget, Weld was a highly successful racer, winning more than 100 sprint car races including the 1963 Knoxville Nationals, the premier event in sprint car racing, and the USAC National Sprint Car Championship at the age of 23.
Weld raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 36 career starts, including the 1970 Indianapolis 500 where he qualified as the fastest rookie qualifier. Weld was also the 1967 USAC Sprint Car Series champion.
In 1970, Weld retired as a professional racer and founded Weld Wheel Industries with $2,300 he'd saved from racing and the simple idea of building better Sprint Car wheels. Weld manufactured forged alloy wheels for various vehicles, including race cars, and was an active sponsor of the United States Auto Club series, NHRA and IHRA.
In January 2007, Weld started a new company, Greg Weld Competition Wheels. His continuous investments in technology, research and development and talented people positioned Weld to be a pioneer and undisputed leader in the aftermarket industry.
Weld was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998.
Survivors include his wife Deb, former wife Marilyn Brockman-Weld, daughter Christian Weld-Brown and sons Taylor and Brock. He also leaves behind sisters Delores Wesley, and Marilyn Burasco, and brother Ricky. Weld is also survived by his grandchildren, Marin Brown, Sophia Brown, Spencer Brown, Harley Weld, Quinton Weld, Aiden Weld, Lola Weld and numerous nieces and nephews.
Weld was predeceased by father Taylor “Pappy” Weld, mother Ella Weld and brothers Jerry and Kenny.
Services will be held on Friday August 8, 2008, at 10 a.m. at the Kansas City Baptist Temple, 5460 Blue Ridge Cut Off, Raytown, Missouri, 64133; (816) 358-1515.
Took this from Hemmings, very sad. Best looking wheels ever made in my personal opinion.
