#92 Team News Archive
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2000 News
Melling to the Wind Tunnel: Melling Racing will not test with the other Dodge teams at Kentucky Speedway on Wed and Thurs but plans to take three cars to the Lockheed wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga., Friday, according to a team spokesman. The team next plans to test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Jan 6-7(NOL)(11-29-2000)
#9 Crew Chief? UPDATE 2 Official: hearing that Evernham Motorsports car chief, Chad Knaus is being considered for the crew chief job at the #9 Kodiak/Melling Racing Ford team and driver Stacy Compton. Melling Racing will be switching to Dodge in 2001 and to a new number, #92 and have worked closely with Evernham Motorsports(10-20-2000)
UPDATE: Chad Knaus, who has served as Casey Atwood's crew chief in his two Winston Cup events this season for Evernham Motorsports, will take over as crew chief for Winston Cup rookie Stacy Compton. An official announcement of Knaus' move to the #9 Fords of Melling Racing is expected this week. Knaus has been working with Ray Evernham on the development of the Dodge Intrepid, which Melling will move to next season. Knaus also worked with Evernham when Evernham served as crew chief to three-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports(That's Racin')
UPDATE 2: NASCAR Winston Cup team owner, Mark Melling, announced today the addition of Chad Knaus as Crew Chief for the #9 Kodiak team. Knaus joins Melling Racing after working at Evernham Motorsports as manager of the Dodge development program. Before that, he had been a Car Chief at Tyler Jet Motorsports in 1999, and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 1998. From 1993-97, he performed body and chassis construction for Hendrick Motorsports under Ray Evernham(Melling PR)(10-23-2000)
#9 Crew Chief leaves UPDATE: Mark Melling, owner of the #9 Kodiak Ford NASCAR Winston Cup Series car, announced today the departure of crew chief, Jerry Pitts. "In this sport, it's unfortunate, but these things happen," said Melling. "On a very positive note though, we've got everything in place with our driver, sponsor and facilities for this year and the future, so, our priority now is to hire a replacement for Jerry immediately."(Melling Pr)(10-2-2000)
UPDATE: Skip Pope, a team engineer with Melling Racing, will serve as interim crew chief for #9-Stacy Compton at at Charlotte(That's Racin')(10-5-2000)
Melling Changes UPDATE: hearing that Team Manager, Jeff Buice, and the #9 Melling Team have parted ways(9-13-2000)
UPDATE: Stacy Compton said he has been approached by several teams about driver vacancies next season, but his preference would be to stay with Melling Racing(#9 Kodiak/Cougar team) in 2001. Melling is moving into the new Dodge program next season and Compton hopes that change will help improve the team. But Melling has lost team manager Jeff Buice, who has decided to pursue other opportunities. Compton said Buice has agreed to work with the team while it searches for his replacement. Buice spent a lot of time this week talking with Compton as the team prepared for the use of the restrictor-plate in this weekend's race at New Hampshire(That's Racin')(9-16-2000)
Compton Status UPDATE: #9 Kodiak Ford driver, Stacy Compton met with his doctor on Tuesday morning and was told his broken right collarbone is healing faster than planned. He does not plan to have a relief driver this weekend at Darlington(Times Dispatch)
UPDATE: Stacy Compton will qualify and race the #9 Kodiak/Melling Ford Taurus in this weekend's Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Compton qualified the #9 car last week at Bristol, but he sat out the race due to a broken collarbone. Compton broke his right collarbone 10 days ago while playing racquetball. Earlier this week, Compton saw a Charlotte area shoulder specialist who gave Stacy the green light to resume competition. As the team prepares to switch to Dodge in 2001, the Melling team has recently added Mike Steeves, chassis builder; Marc Smith, shock specialist; and Rich Wolsky, mechanic(Melling PR)(8-31-2000)
Hillin to drive the #9 for Compton: Melling Racing announced Saturday afternoon that BGN driver Bobby Hillin will drive the #9 Ford in Saturday night's race at Bristol in place of regular driver Stacy Compton. Compton had broken his right collarbone while playing raquetball last Monday, but had practiced and qualified the car on Friday. Since Hillin did not qualify the car, he will have to move to the rear of the field to start the race(That's Racin'). Compton will be in the car next week at Darlington Raceway(NOL)(8-26-2000)
Compton Hurt may need relief UPDATE: Veteran NASCAR driver, Bobby Hillin, has agreed to stand-by for Stacy Compton in preparation for this weekend's Cup race at Bristol. Compton, driver of the #9 Kodiak/Melling Racing Ford Taurus, sustained a broken right collar bone this week while playing racquetball as part of his regular aerobic workout routine(Melling PR)(8-23-2000)
UPDATE: Compton said Thursday he is going to attempt to race this weekend at Bristol despite fracturing his collarbone while playing racquetball Monday night. Compton said his doctor believes he already had suffered a stress fracture in the area from an accident while testing at Indy last month. When Compton hit the same area while playing racquetball, his collarbone fractured in two separate places. Compton said he and his team have worked with the seat placement in his #9 Ford to help him remain comfortable in the car. He will try to practice and qualify the car Friday and drive in Saturday night's race at Bristol(That's Racin')(8-24-2000)
Melling Assoc Sponsor: Mark Melling, owner of the #9 Kodiak Ford driven by Stacy Compton, announced the team's newest associate sponsor, WorldCom. Beginning with this weekend's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis, the car and driver will carry the WorldCom brand through the remainder of the season(Melling PR)(8-4-2000)
Owner to miss Brickyard 400: This Saturday afternoon as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series stock cars rumble around the world's most famous raceway, the youngest owner on the series, Mark Melling(#9 Kodiak/Cougar Ford), will be tying the knot with LeAnne Smith at the family's TreeTops Resort in Northern Michigan. This weekend's race will be the first time Mark has missed the Brickyard 400, but the son of the late Harry Melling put things in
perspective. "There are many, many races, but I'm only getting married once," said Melling. "So missing a race isn't a big deal, but don't think for a minute I won't be pulling for Stacy and the guys on Saturday."(Melling PR) Congrats Mark!(8-2-2000)
Compton's Wrist: Stacy Compton, driver of the #9 Kodiak/Cougar Ford, will race with a half cast on his left wrist because of two broken bones suffered in a practice/test crash Monday at Indianapolis(Speed Magazine/TBS Happy Hour Coverage)(7-23-2000)
Why #92? as heard during the MRN Qualifying broadcast: Mark Melling said it stands for 9 the second time around as the team reinvents
itself(6-9-2000)
4th Dodge team, #92 UPDATE 3: Dodge will announce the 4th Dodge team at Michigan International Speedway Friday, June 9th. Hmm...the same day Melling Racing will announce it's new car number. The other three teams are: Evernham Motorsports(#'s 9 and 19), Petty Enterprises (#'s 43 and 44) and Bill Davis Racing (#'s 22 and 93). Melling Racing gave up it's #9 to Evernham Motorsports for Bill Elliott to drive(6-2-2000)
UPDATE: Melling Racing has scheduled a news conference for next Friday at Michigan Speedway and is expected to announce that it will field Dodge Intrepids in 2001(That's Racin')(6-3-2000)
UPDATE 2: made the announcement on Thursday instead? - from SpeedVision: The #92 Kodiak Intrepid R/T was unveiled Thursday by team owner Mark Melling and Lou Patane VP of Motorsports Operations and Mopar Performance Parts. Melling Racing's entry will join two-car efforts from Evernham Motorsports, Bill Davis Racing and Petty Enterprises(SpeedVision)(6-8-2000)
UPDATE 2: See the official Press Release and an image of the car at Melling Racing.com(6-9-2000)
Guess Melling Racing's new #: A fan with the right guess will win a trip to a driving school from racingschools.com, and another good guesser will be an honorary member of the Melling Racing pit crew at the August Winston Cup race at Michigan Speedway. Here's the deal... In the next few weeks, NASCAR will assign the
Melling Team a new number for the 2001 season (remember that Mark Melling gave the #9 to Bill Elliott for Ray Evernham's new Dodge team). If you can correctly guess the number NASCAR assigns to the team, you could be one of the two lucky winners. We will draw two entries from a pool of all the correct entries, and we will announce who the winners are Friday, June 9th at Michigan Speedway. Complete contest rules are online at Mellingracing.com. You can also find lots of information about Stacy Compton and the Melling team on the site(Melling Racing PR in part)(4-24-2000)
Melling Gets A Dyno: Melling Racing, who field's the #9 Cougar/Kodiak Ford, new chassis dyno arrived last week. The team built an addition to the shop since the start of the season to accommodate the dyno. The dyno should be operational within a few weeks(Melling PR)(4-19-2000)
Co-op: Melling Racing has an engineering co-op program with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Josh Wilson, a Junior from Nashville, TN, is the first student to enter the program. This weekend marks the first time Josh will go to a race with the Melling team in his home state. Josh will be available to answer questions about his experience on Saturday at the track(Melling PR)(3-23-2000)
Melling to Dodge? UPDATE from goracing/Bill Kiser: Melling Racing owner Mark Melling, who current runs the #9 number, gave it up to Bill Elliott and the Evernham Dodge team. There was a price to be paid for securing the number, however - according to sources, Melling Racing will also become a part of the Dodge Motorsports program in 2001, bringing along current driver Stacy Compton. So that is 8 Dodge teams/cars(3-10-2000)
UPDATE BUT.....: a story by Lee Spencer indicats that Melling is considering Dodge but probably will not go in that direction, see the full story at: Harry Melling on Son's Mind(3-11-2000)
Hills Bros: Hills Bros Coffee supported rookie of the year contender Stacy Compton and the #9 Melling Racing team in Sunday's race at Las Vegas as an associate after their driver Ed Berrier missed the race in the #90 Ford, it was a one race deal(TachZone)(3-6-2000)
Melling Sponsor: Conwood Company, L.P., makers of Levi Garrett and Kodiak smokeless tobacco products, announced today that their Kodiak and Cougar brands would co-sponsor the #9 Melling Racing Fords and 2000 "Rookie of the Year" candidate Stacy Compton. Joining Melling Racing as an associate sponsor in 2000 is Duckhead Footwear and Duckhead Apparel. The two companies are brand new to the sport, but not to the footwear and apparel industries(Melling PR)(1-12-2000)
#9 Crew Chief: Melling Racing hired Jerry Pitts, Jr. to serve as Stacy Compton's Crew Chief for the #9 Kodiak Ford in 2000, team owner Mark Melling announced today. Pitts, who led the #13 Elliott-Marino Motorsports entry in 1998, will be responsible for chassis setups and race day pit strategy(Melling PR and RACER Magazine/SpeedVision)(12-30-1999)
#9 and Skoal? UPDATE, NOPE: the CTS StockCarFans newsletter reports that Stacy Compton will have Skoal and US Tobacco as his sponsor on the #9 Melling Ford in the Winston Cup Series. And along with Compton leaving Impact Motorsports(#86 RC Cola Dodge truck team), it reports that crew chief Kevin Cram will be joining the #31 team(Cup?) but not sure in what capacity(StockCarFans CTS Newsletter). I have heard it was Kodiak who is made by Conwood Brands. Plus Skoal said when they announced they were leaving the #33 that they were probably be out of the sport and would probably stay in the Rodeo(That's Racin'), so we'll see which it is if either(11-29-1999) -- UPDATE Compton Signs: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series star Stacy Compton became the sixth NASCAR Winston Cup Series 2000 "Rookie of the year" candidate today when he announced he will drive Mark Melling's #9 Fords in the 2000 Winston Cup season sponsored by Conwood Company of Memphis, TN, a marketer of smokeless tobacco products. Earlier this year, the Melling team moved into a new facility, and started building their own chassis in-house. They also reunited with Ernie Elliott, and the team will once again have Elliott engines under the hood of the #9. Team Manager Jeff Buice said other off-season changes include adding a few experienced employees and a chassis dyno at the team's Concord, NC shop. Conwood Company officials said they will meet in December to determine some of the promotional aspects of their 20th anniversary in NASCAR Winston Cup competition(Melling PR) Note: Conwood makes Kodiak smokeless tobacco products among others....not Skoal(US Tobacco)(11-30-1999)
Cope to Replace Compton: Mike Cope will drive an Impact Motorsports Dodge truck in 2000 replacing Stacy Compton who is expected to drive the #9 Ford for the Winston Cup Melling team in 2000(Winston Cup Scene)(11-27-1999)
Compton and the #9? hearing Stacy Compton has asked for and was granted his release from the #86 Impact Motorsports CTS team and will drive the #9 Melling Ford in 2000(many readers in a VA newspaper)(11-22-1999)
#9 Engines: Ernie Elliott, brother of driver Bill Elliott, agreed to provide engines for the #9 Ford of Melling Racing for Sunday's NAPA 500 and the entire 2000 season. It will be a reunion for owner Mark Melling and Elliott, who worked together for seven years before parting ways in 1992(Tennessean/Cox News Service)(11-17-1999)
Compton and the #9: TNN's Raceday reported on Sunday that Stacy Compton would likely get the #9 Melling Ford Cup ride in 2000 with Kodiak as the rumored sponsor(11-16-1999)
#9 Paint: The Melling Racing team will unveil their ninth different paint and decal scheme at this week's Pennzoil 400 at Homestead. The latest design
features characters from the movie "The Iron Giant", a critically acclaimed animated film to be released by Warner Home Video on Nov. 23. The design will
feature both the Iron Giant and his young friend, Hogarth Hughes. It will be featured only for the weekend of racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Throughout the 1999 season, Cartoon Network partnered with other Time-Warner Co.'s to sponsor the Melling team. TBS Superstation and World Championship Wrestling sponsored the #9 car for 5 and 7 races respectively. As a result, the Melling team spent a lot of time and money changing paint schemes, decals and uniforms. The team spent almost $150,000 on paint, decals and uniforms alone. In terms of time, the team painted and repainted their cars over 50 times, which adds up to over 800 hours of
labor. In an effort to always bring the best car to the track, one car was painted eight times this season(Melling PR)(11-8-1999)
Kodiak to the #9? reportedly Kodiak has met with Melling Racing about sponsoring the #9 Ford with driver Stacy Compton being the driver. Kodiak currently sponsors the #41 Hedrick Racing Chevy but is leaving at the end of the year(Speedway Scene Mag/Jack Flowers)(11-3-1999)
Moore Gone: Stacy Compton, who has only one more race to run in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1999, will drive the #9 Cartoon Network/Mark Melling-owned Ford in the season's final four races. The team's crew chief, Newt Moore, left earlier this week, so Compton's truck crew chief, Kevin Cram, will move as well(SpeedNet)(10-23-1999)
Compton to Cup? UPDATE 3: Heard it was reported on the LTN Hour, a Wisconsin NASCAR radio show, that Stacy Compton is under consideration to take the #9 Melling Ford. Present driver, Jerry Nadeau, is leaving to go to the #25 Hendrick team(8-11-1999) -- UPDATE: TNN's Raceday reports that Compton turned down the offer(8-18-1999) -- UPDATE2: I hear that no offers have been made and the Steve Grissom and Compton are the two drivers the team likes at the moment. The team is getting the sponsorship side taken care of first then will hire a 2000 driver(8-19-1999) -- UPDATE 3: #86 CTS driver Stacy Compton will drive the #9 Cartoon Network Ford Taurus for the rest of the Cup season. According to sources close to the situation, Compton has the ride for this week's Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway as well as the races at Phoenix, Homestead and Atlanta. And, should sponsorship be found to replace the Cartoon Network, Compton has an excellent chance of remaining in the car for the 2000 season. Compton replaces Rich Bickle, who had driven the car for the past several races(TNN Motorsports Site). Compton has also been rumored to be part of a the Dodge teams when they go to Cup in 2001(10-19-1999)
Bickle Leads: #9-Rich Bickle led his first lap of the 1999 season, so that's 43 drivers who have led at least one Winston Cup lap in 1999(10-11-1999)
Big Kmart: the #9 Melling TBS Dinner and a Movie Ford has Big Kmart on the 1/4 panels. The #66 Big Kmart/Rt 66 Ford failed to make the race(10-11-1999)
Melling sponsor UPDATE: my understanding is that Turner Broadcasting/Cartoon Network, rumored to be going to the #75 team until the Pizza Hut rumor broke out, has not told the #9 Melling team it is leaving at the end of the season and may be back with them in 2000. -- UPDATE: Melling Racing was informed today by The Cartoon Network that it will not return as the team's sponsor for the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season(Melling PR)(10-1-1999)
Melling News: Mark Melling, owner of the #9 Cartoon Network Ford, announced today(9-13) that driver Rich Bickle has been hired on an interim basis to replace Steve Grissom. "We're simply evaluating drivers in an effort to find the right combination," explained Melling. "Steve's got a lot of talent, but at this
point, we need to test another driver. We certainly wish Steve all the best in his future endeavors."(Melling PR)(9-13-1999)
#9 News: The #9 Melling Ford will have the World Championship Wrestling paint scheme at Richmond this week with Steve Grissom driving the car. WCW's former eight-time Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat will sign autographs at the WCW/Racing Champions merchandise trailer outside the track from 3:00 - 5:00 pm on Saturday. In addition to their appearance, Stevie Ray and Booker T will hang out with new driver Steve Grissom before the race, and with the crew in the pit during the race. It's the sixth of seven races for WCW in the 1999 season. The #9 car bears the colors and logos of sponsorship partners Cartoon Network for 22 races and TBS Superstation for 5 races(Turner PR)(9-8-1999)
Jetsons Back: The #9 Cartoon Network/TBs/Radio Shack Ford is running the Jetson's paint scheme at Darlington with Steve Grissom returning to the drivers seat. The team will also run another one race special paint scheme later in the season, no idea what yet(8-31-1999)
#9 Scheme: not only will the #9 Melling Ford have a new driver this week it'll have a different paint scheme: They are running the Atlanta Braves/TBS scheme with the additon of Fleetwood Homes at Bristol. The Braves scheme was run at Atlanta in March(8-25-1999)
Nadeau Out? YEP-UPDATE 2: The Racing Angels ADNASCAR Newsletter newsletter reports: Sources tell me Jerry Nadeau has been released from the #9, Cartoon Network, Melling Owned car. Jerry, as we know, will be in the #25 Holigan, Hendricks owned Chevy next season. I understand Steve Grissom will run the car this weekend in Bristol, this is a race to race deal -- UPDATE: two Press Releases in part - 1) Jerry Nadeau and Mark Melling, president of Melling Racing, have decided to part ways in order for both to get a head start on their 2000 racing programs. "We just decided we need to go our separate ways now," said Nadeau, who next year will drive the #25 Michael Holigan Homes Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. "Mark needs to get a head start on finding the right driver for Melling Racing. I don't mind stepping away to help him out. "I had a fun year with these guys. We had our best finish together a week ago. I wish the best for all of them." Nadeau joined Melling Racing in July 1998, replacing injured driver Lake Speed. Some of the highlights of Nadeau's tenure with Melling Racing included a fifth-place finish in the Frontier at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Aug. 15, and an eighth-place finish in the DieHard 500 at Talladega April 25. His best starting spot this year was third at the SaveMart 350 at Sears Point Raceway in June(Cotter Group) and 2) Melling Racing announced today that Steve Grissom will replace Jerry Nadeau as driver of the #9 Cartoon Network NASCAR Winston Cup Series car. Grissom, who was the first to drive the Cartoon Network Wacky Racing car in 1996, has been hired on an interim basis starting with this weekend's race in Bristol, TN. "With Jerry moving on to another team in 2000, we felt a need to make an immediate change," said Mark Melling, President of Melling Racing. "Steve's experience and intense desire to get back into Cup racing will give the team a big lift as we evaluate our plans for next season. We wish Jerry all the best in his future endeavors." Melling Racing is in its 20th year of involvement in NASCAR. Their team history includes a Winston Cup Championship and the first winning of the Winston Million. Mark Melling serves as president of Melling Racing and Melling Engine Parts, the largest independent supplier of oil pumps and related parts(Melling PR) -- UPDATE 2: no word on what Nadeau may do, but he may test for Hendrick some(RPM2Nite)(8-23-1999)
Compton: #86 CTS driver Stacy Compton said on Friday evening at Gateway "there's been no offers and no rejections" when he was asked his plans for the 2000 season, and in response to rumors he was weighing offers to move to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series(NOL) in the #9 car, for one rumor(8-21-1999)
Compton to Cup? UPDATE2: Heard it was reported on the LTN Hour, a Wisconsin NASCAR radio show, that Stacy Compton is under consideration to take the #9 Melling Ford. Present driver, Jerry Nadeau, is leaving to go to the #25 Hendrick team(8-11-1999) -- UPDATE: TNN's Raceday reports that Compton turned down the offer(8-18-1999) -- UPDATE2: I hear that no offers have been made and the Steve Grissom and Compton are the two drivers the team likes at the moment. The team is getting the sponsorship side taken care of first then will hire a 2000 driver(8-19-1999)
#9 Wrestles with sponsor: World Championship Wrestling's #9 Ford Taurus will hit the track at Michigan for the Pepsi 400 on Sunday August 22 -- with a little help from wrestling superstars Raven and Vampiro. WCW's "Dead Pool" leader Raven will sign autographs at the WCW/Racing Champions merchandise trailer outside the track from 10:30 to 11:30am/et on Sunday. Gothic grappler Vampiro will sign autographs Saturday from 3 to 4pm/et. In addition to their appearances, the wrestlers will hang out with the crew during qualifying, practice, and during the race. WCW announcer Riki Rachtman will also be on-hand to interview the race team and the wrestlers. Driver Jerry Nadeau will pilot the WCW car with the silver, black and red paint scheme for the third time this year. He finished in eighth place behind the wheel of the WCW car at Talladega in April. It's the fifth of seven races for WCW. The #9 car bears the colors and logos of sponsorship partners Cartoon Network for 22 races and TBS Superstation for 5 races throughout the 1999 racing season(Turner PR/ WCW.com)(8-17-1999)
Laps Led: Jerry Nadeau led the first laps of his career at Watkins Glen as did Boris Said and Ron Fellows. Bobby Hamilton also led his first laps of 1999, leaving #55-Kenny Wallace as the only driver to make ALL the Cup races so far in 1999 and NOT lead a lap. 41 drivers who have led at least one lap in 1999(8-15-1999)
Top Five: Jerry Nadeau got his first top five of his career at Watkins Glen in the #9 Cartoon Network/Jetsons Ford. #87-Ron Fellows also got his first top five in his 4th(not 2nd) Cup start, also ran the #96 Cat car at the 1998 Watkins Glen race and 2nd Loudon race(36th) and ran Watkins Glen in 1995(#68 Chevy)(8-15-1999)
#9 Sponsor: current Melling primary sponsor, the Turner television system (Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, World Championship Wrestling, etc.), is obligated only through the end of the year, and that negotiations for an extension have been complicated by Nadeau's impending departure. The next goal is to find a new driver. Nadeau will continue until the end of the season. Owner Mark Melling indicates that he has no plans to sell the team at this time.(SpeedNet)(8-5-1999)
Melling Ride: At least three drivers, Morgan Shepherd, Steve Grissom and Dallenbach have spoken to Melling Racing about moving to the #9 Fords next season(That's Racin')(7-27-1999)
Mellings Plans: Despite Adversity, Melling Team Stays Positive. Despite the death of owner Harry Melling, despite the departure of driver Jerry Nadeau at seasons end, and despite being 33rd in points, Melling Racing is not ready to throw in the towel. The year 2000 will usher in the 21st century, the 21st year of Melling's
involvement in NASCAR, a new Ford Taurus, and a new chapter in Melling Racing's history. A chapter that will include a new driver. No decision has been made yet on a new driver, but the team is looking at experienced CTS, BGN and Cup drivers. It is that commitment that led Mark Melling, president of Melling Racing Enterprises, to build the team's new 20,000 square foot facility in Concord, NC. The building houses the teams' administrative offices, show car program, fabrication shop, chassis shop, body shop and assembly shop. Pro Motor Engineering in Mooresville, NC handles the teams motors. The team is building new cars, adding depth, stepping up their pit stop practice schedule and gearing up to start their development of the 2000 Taurus(in part from a Melling PR)(7-23-1999)
Hendrick News UPDATE: There will be a Hendrick Motorsports Press Conference to announce a new partner in their racing program on Monday, July 19, 1999, at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum in Harrisburg, N.C. Will also be a 1:45pm/et teleconference of the event(Cotter Group PR)(7-14-1999) -- UPDATE: this should be the Press Conference where they announce Jerry Nadeau as the driver and Michael Holigans Homes as the sponsor -- UPDATE: From the www.michaelholigan.com / Michael Holigans site: MichaelHoligan.com is entering the most competitive and action-packed sport in the world, NASCAR Winston Cup Racing! Starting in February 2000 at the Daytona 500, MichaelHoligan.com will be the primary sponsor of the #25 team from Hendrick Motorsports. See images of the car and the Press Release at: Michael Holigans Homes PR(7-19-1999)
Melling to Sell? Mark Melling says he has NO plans to sell the #9 Winston Cup team his father Harry built. Melling says they will look for a driver and that the rest of the crew should stay intact(NOL) I hear one driver they are talking to is Steve Grissom(7-16-1999)
#9 Associate? hearing Radio Shack has signed on as an associate sponsor with the #9 Cartoon Network Melling Ford(7-11-1999)
The Pits: thought this was interesting - Most NASCAR Winston Cup teams practice pit stops each week, some as much as twice a day. Melling Racing is no exception, but some of the crew members, led by team manager Jeff Buice, put in a little extra time before each race. Tire changers Steven Berry, 31; Kurt Binkley, 33; and Jason Pulver, 21, have a standard wheel hub mounted to the back of the "war wagon" -- the tool cart used by the team on pit road during the race. Before the green flag flies, the three crew members take turns with their air wrenches, tightening and loosening lug nuts dozens of times(Cotter Group)(6-24-1999)
Nadeau Colors UPDATE 2: Possibly the debut of the Jetsons paint scheme at Sears Point on the #9 Melling Racing Ford(6-20-1999) -- UPDATE: The Cartoon Network will unveil a new paint scheme for the #9 Ford Friday, June 25 at Sears Point Raceway. It's "out of this world."(Cotter Group)(6-21-1999) -- UPDATE 2: see what Jerry Nadeau's #9 Cartoon Network Ford will look like at Cartoon Network - Pitstop Site(6-22-1999)
Nadeau Colors: The Pocono 500 will be the final appearance of Cartoon Network's "Dexter" paint scheme on the #9 Melling Racing Ford for the 1999 season. The company will unveil a new paint scheme next week at Sears Point Raceway(Cotter Group)...psst...it's the Jetzon's(6-16-1999)
Melling Remembered: Team members, drivers, media etc are wearing red #9 buttons in honor of #9 team owner Harry Melling who passed away a few weeks ago(Raceday)(6-13-1999)
#9 Crew Chief:Newt Moore has been named crew chief of the #9 Melling Racing Ford driven by Jerry Nadeau, beginning with the June 13 Kmart 400 at Michigan Speedway. Moore, 36, joined Melling Racing in late May as car chief and was responsible for car setup, shocks and chassis. He will continue to work closely with team manager Jeff Buice, who is taking on more responsibilities with the organization in that position. Moore's responsibilities as crew chief will include overseeing at-track operations for Melling Racing. He will also continue his work on car setup, shocks and chassis(Cotter Group PR)(6-9-1999)
Nadeau Colors: Jerry Nadeau's #9 Melling Racing Ford paint scheme will feature a special tribute to late team owner Harry Melling at Michigan Speedway. Nadeau's Taurus will be painted red -- Melling's favorite color and the same as the colors used when Bill Elliott won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship and the
inaugural Winston Million in 1985. The car's decklid will carry a special
decal that reads, "This one's for you Harry. We'll miss you."(Cotter Group PR)(6-8-1999)
Penalties: NASCAR officials announced today James Ince, crew chief of the #45 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac and Jeff Buice, crew chief of the #9 Melling Racing Ford have both been fined $2,500 for rules violations prior to last Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Both crew chiefs were penalized under Section 12 Rule 4 Article Q in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "...parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules," and a violation of Section 20A Rule 11.2: "Holes drilled in frames, frame supports, and cross members with the intent of making the metal lighter are not permitted(NASCAR PR)(6-5-1999)
Sad and Unexpected News: Harry Melling 54, owner of Melling Racing(#9 Cartoon Network Ford), died Saturday after suffering a fatal heart attack. More info at NASCAR Online(5-29-1999) -- UPDATE 1: "Melling Racing has been a second family to me," #9 driver Jerry Nadeau said Saturday. "It is with heavy hearts that the crew and I will start Sunday's race (the Coca-Cola 600) as a tribute to Harry."(That's Racin')(5-30-1999) -- The Melling Racing team members wore wear black armbands in honor of Melling. The #9 Melling Racing Cartoon Network Ford carried special
decals honoring Melling. Additionally, decals were also made available to all NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams, no idea what teams used them. The Melling family will receive friends at Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord from 4 - 8 p.m. Monday, May 31. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at Hole 6 of the Treetops Resort golf course. The family will also receive friends June 2 at Braun Funeral Home in Brooklyn, Mich., from 2 - 8 p.m. Melling's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on June 3 at First United Methodist Church of Jackson, Mich. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to three memorial funds: the Harry Melling Memorial Fund, Reece Endeavors and the Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations should be sent to Jerry Alert at Treetops
Resort, 3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord, Mich., 49735(NOL)(5-31-1999)
Nadeau BGN: Jerry Nadeau will serve double duty this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte. In addition to his regular driving responsibilities for the #Melling Racing Ford, Nadeau will also substitute for injured driver Brad Loney in the May 29 BGN race. Nadeau, 28, will drive the #90 Coyne Textile Services Chevy for
GTS Motorsports in the Carquest Auto Parts 300. Loney suffered a concussion during an accident in the First Union 200 at Nazareth last week, and was advised by doctors not to enter this weekend's race as a precaution(Cotter Group)(5-26-1999)
Moore to Melling: Newt Moore(former #77 and #81 crew chief) has joined Melling Racing as car chief of the #9 Cartton Network Ford and driver Jerry Nadeau, beginning with the May 30 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte. Moore's responsibilities will include car setup, shocks and chassis. He will work closely with crew chief Jeff Buice to prepare the cars and will serve as driver Jerry Nadeau's spotter on race day(Cotter Group)(5-26-1999)
Engagements: Jerry Nadeau recently announced his engagemnet to Jada and Tony Stewart has announced his engagement to Krista Dwyer.(Sue's ADNASCAR Newsletter)(5-13-1999)
Nadeau Paint: many readers have told me that they saw Jerry Nadeau on Monday Nitro and he said the #9 Melling team would be running a special Bill Goldberg(wrestler) paint job in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. From the WCW site: Ricky Rackman introduced NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau, who drives the WCW car and will be driving the new Goldberg car in the next couple of weeks.(5-6-1999)
Nadeau Image: The 'Dinner and a Movie' paint scheme that Jerry Nadeau will run at California this weekend can be seen at Sue's Melling Racing/Jerry Nadeau 1999 Page. Looks like Nadeau will run a Jetzons paint scheme this year also(4-30-1999)
Nadeau Paint: Jerry Nadeau will be running the TBS Dinner and a Movie paint scheme at California. This is to promote TBS's TV schedule on Friday nights(4-26-1999)
Best Finishes Rookie Tony Stewart(5th) and Jerry Nadeau(8th) had their best career finishes at Talladega in the Diehard 500(4-25-1999)
Nadeau Paint: Jerry Nadeau will be in the #9 WCW/Melling Ford at Talladega(4-14-1999)
Nadeau on the tube: Jerry Nadeau will be followed by a film crew at Texas from The Learning Channel as the featured driver in an upcoming special titled, "The Secret World of Stock Cars." He'll be racing in the same car this weekend he used to win the Winston West race at Las Vegas(SpeedNet)(3-24-1999)
Nadeau on the Pole and he wins: for the Winston West The Orleans 150. Nadeau ran a lap of 166.246mph. Ricky Craven was second quickest in qualifying, turning a lap at 165.052(WRAL) by the way as far as I know there will NOT be any TV coverage of the Winston West race(3-5-1999) -- Jerry Nadeau is having a pretty good weekend there in Vegas, he won the Winston West race on Friday and qualified 8th for the Las Vegas 400. See results of the Winston West race at The Racing West Site(3-6-1999)
Nadeau at School: Cup driver Jerry Nadeau will visit Beaver Brook Elementary School in Griffin, Ga., March 11 to show his support for Partners in Education. Nadeau will be at Beaver Brook Elementary from 10:30am to 11:00am. He will tour the school, talk to children and sign autographs(SpeedNet and PR)(3-3-1999)
New Melling/Nadeau Colors: For Las Vegas on March 7th, Jerry Nadeau will have the WCW(World Championship Wrestling) colors on the #9 Melling Ford as part of the Turner revolving paint schemes(Cartoon Network, WCW, Atlanta Braves, etc). See images of the car at Sue's Melling Racing Page (2-22-1999)
Carter and Melling to share: Melling Racing and Travis Carter Enterprises have partnered to share technical information and develop performance assistance during the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup season. The two racing operations combined forces to improve research and development for their three teams. Travis Carter Enterprises and crew chief Donnie Wingo field the #23 Ford for Jimmy Spencer and the #66 Ford for three-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip. Melling Racing fields the #9 Cartoon Network Wacky Racing Ford for Jerry Nadeau(Cotter Group PR)(1-29-1999)
Cartoon Network team news: After calculating the exact quotient of paint to metal and the proper airflow over the colorful decals, Cartoon Network's top scientist has developed a new design for the #9 Ford Taurus. Cartoon Network Wacky Racing salutes their greatest scientific invention - and the
genius behind it - when they unveil the new design, live on CartoonNetwork.com, on
January 29. Designed by Funny Garbage of New York, which also designed the
CartoonNetwork.com web site, the unveiling will feature a virtual look at the car with VRML. Viewers will be able to rotate the car with the VRML spin, looking at all the designs as if they were walking around the car themselves. CartoonNetwork.com will tease the unveiling of the car on its title page beginning Monday, January 25. In addition to the unveiling, the site will launch a new Wacky Racing game, where users can race against some of their favorite Cartoon Network characters and their cars, such as Dick Dastardly and Fred Flintstone. In addition, Cartoon Network racing fans can check out the information on driver Jerry Nadeau, stats on the 1998 team and the specifics of the Winston Cup car that carries the Cartoon Network designs. They will be able to keep up with all this information at CartoonNetwork.com throughout the NASCAR Winston Cup season)Cartoon Network PR)(1-28-1999)
#9 Paint Scheme News: Many readers reported that while watching WCW Thunder(wrestling) Thursday night, during the this week in WCW motorsports segment they said WCW would be the primary sponsor in seven Winston Cup races on the #9 Melling Ford and Jerry Nadeau, the only race mentioned was the Las Vegas event(1-8-1999)
WCW to Sponsor Cup team? UPDATE DOH! WCW has announced that they'll be sponsoring a NASCAR Winston Cup team for selected events in 1999. Therefore, Racing Champions, who made the die-cast WCW model racing cars this past year, will become the exclusive trackside merchandiser of WCW products including T-shirts, souvenirs and collectibles at NASCAR events. This info comes from the wrestling site: Scoopscentral. It does not mention a team.(thanks Jeff)(12-23-98) -- was in 'wrapping' mode last night and this didn't click, this is probably the #9 Melling Cartoon car deal with Turner which includes the Cartoon Netweok, WCW, etc.(12-24-98)
Melling Sponsor UPDATE2: I hear the Cartoon Network will be back in a different role with the #9 Melling Ford. Supposedly will be a few paint schemes reflecting different Turner Broadcasting stations/shows, like the Cartoon Network and WCW.(11-18-98) -- I hear this will be announced Thursday in NYC(12-1-98) -- Cartoon Network will continue to be the primary sponsor the #9 Fords driven by Jerry Nedeau, however Turner Broadcasting sister companies TBS Superstation and World Championship Wrestling will also be used as sponsors in selected races. Each of the three divisions of Turner Broadcasting will have complete control over the car's design and associate sponsorships for its races. The Cartoon Network will continue as the dominant sponsor for Turner Broadcasting. The Superstation's car will feature the National League East Division champion Atlanta Braves and the TV show "Dinner & A Movie," while WCW will use the car to promote wrestlers and pay-per-view events(That's Racin')(12-3-98)
Nadeau on RPM2Nite UPDATE: Jerry Nadeau is scheduled to be on RPM2Nite, Wednesday, 11-11 at 7pm/et to announce his 1999 plans.(11-10-98) -- Jerry Nadeau was on RPM2Nite and announced that he has signed with Melling Racing for 1999 in the #9 Ford. Sponsorship will be announced soon, Mark Melling said it is a big deal and is very happy with both Jerry and crew chief Jeff Buice.(11-11-98)