Welch, his father and friend Tom Hays were returning to Indianapolis from a U.S. Auto Club regional midget race Welch won at Plymouth Speedway when another car pulled out in front of them on U.S. 31.

The head-on collision and slide into a 20-foot ravine left Welch, a junior at Carmel High School, and Hays with head gashes. Welch required 24 stitches down the middle of his forehead; Hays needed 16 staples to the top of his head.

Vince Welch, who was driving the car, was not seriously injured, although back pain and general soreness remain.

Nine days after the accident, Welch finished third at Springport (Mich.) Speedway. He had three wins this season entering Thursday night's race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich.

Welch, who drives for Bob East, is scheduled to make his national midget debut Sept. 18 at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. Indy Star