Melling testing but needs sponsor for the 500 UPDATE sponsor for the Daytona 500: Mark Melling, owner of the #92 Melling Racing team since the death of his father, Harry, in 1999, said Monday that the team is in Daytona with driver Robert Pressley for what could be a make-or-break series of test sessions through Wednesday. With no major sponsorship secured and a race shop that has been trimmed back to just four employees, Melling hopes to show perspective sponsors that Melling has a car worth backing on race day. Melling said that it could take as much as a top-10 showing in practice for the week for it to be worth the time, energy and money needed to put together a one-race deal for Daytona. Pressley will be driving the same Dodge Intrepid this week that Stacy Compton qualified on the outside front row and finished 10th with last February at Daytona. Melling is running his Daytona hopes on a shoestring, an “ultra-budget, budget program,” he said. Regardless of his car’s showing this week, he’s still going to need some sponsorship help to run the 500. Melling said that he’s unable to justify pulling money out of the family business to run a race car in these challenging economic times. Regardless of whether or not Melling can pull together an 11th-hour one-race deal for Daytona, the long-range future of the racing team that has fielded a car in the Daytona 500 annually since 1982, is still uncertain at best. Should the Melling Racing Winston Cup effort dissolve, don’t look for Melling to try to become a major player in a lesser racing series such as the BGN or the CTS.(Michigan Live)(1-16-2002) UPDATE: Mark Melling, confirmed today his team’s plans to compete in the 2002 Daytona 500, with sponsorship coming from BrandSource. This marks the 21st year of competition in the famed race for Melling Racing, and the first year of competition for sponsor BrandSource, a buying group of home appliance, electronics and furniture stores. “We are thrilled to be part of NASCAR, and to team with Mark Melling and Melling Racing” said Bob Lawrence, Executive Director of BrandSource. “Mark and his team have a long history of success and being tough competitors. This is just like our BrandSource stores. We have been in business for a long time, and compete everyday in the tough appliance, electronics and furniture business. We look forward to a very long relationship with Mark and the Melling Racing team.” Melling has also come to terms with veteran NASCAR driver, Robert Pressley, to drive the #92 BrandSource Dodge, with engine support coming from Ernie Elliott Engines, Inc. Associate sponsors Cabela’s outfitters, Craftsman tools, Dodge, Duck Head Footwear, Freightliner trucks, Wix filters, and Worldcom telecommunications will be part of the Melling team in 2002 as well.(Melling Racing PR)(1-16-2002)
