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)
