The former Richmond man will broadcast his first race as the lead announcer when he calls the lap-by-lap action for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Welch started his broadcasting career at Richmond's WKBV radio in 1986. He worked there until 1990 before moving on to WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

"In our profession, we're always glad to get an opportunity to do something different and be challenged by something different," Welch said by cell phone during his drive to Nashville. "To get an opportunity to do something different is something I value, and I appreciate ESPN giving me the chance to do it."

An Indianapolis native, Welch graduated from Cardinal Ritter in 1982 and from Ball State in 1986.

The stop at WKBV was his first job out of college.

"I was hoping I'd have the opportunity to do some play-by-play there," he said.

He got his wish -- and worked with a wish list of Richmond broadcasters.

Welch called games alongside Phil Stigleman, Lamar Lundy and Avis Stewart.

"It was a great time to be calling Richmond athletics, that's for sure," Welch said. "I was so blessed when I was there.

"I was really fortunate to work with three people who were not only good at what they did from a broadcasting perspective, but were great friends."

Stigleman was the voice of the Red Devils for nearly 30 years. He died in 2006. Lundy was one of Richmond's top all-around athletes -- the former NFL great was named Wayne County's greatest athlete of the 20th century by the Palladium-Item. He died in 2007.

Stewart is Earlham College's vice president of community relations. Welch said he and Stewart exchanged text messages after this weekend's Indianapolis 500 race.

Welch and Stewart called RHS basketball together, with Stewart providing analysis.

"He was always so well prepared from a professional standpoint," Stewart said of Welch. "He made it easier on me.

He's a great announcer. He really is."

Even though Welch's time in Richmond was relatively brief, Stewart said the broadcaster was happy to help during last year's Bo Van PeltClassic golf fundraiser.

"He hasn't been connected to the Richmond community in years. He stepped up," Stewart said.

"I'm not the last bit surprised (at his success). Seeing how professional he was in his preparation for each local high school game and knowing he wanted to further his career ... you know when you're working with a true professional."

RHS and Central were the state's top two ranked teams with two of the state's top players. The Red Devils had Woody Austin on their side, and the Bearcats boasted Chandler Thompson.

Austin and RHS came out ahead on that particular evening. The eventual Mr. Basketball scored 36 points, 15 of Richmond's last 20, as the Red Devils stopped Central 67-61 in overtime.

"It was just an unbelievable game," Welch said. "I still remember the atmosphere surrounding it.

"For a young person coming out of college, I couldn't have gone into a better situation and into a community that was more passionate about sports than Richmond was back then. ... They were the elite of the elite back then, part of that elite level of athletic programs. It was a thrill to be a part of that."