Melling Racing announces layoffs

By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 28, 2001
5:29 PM EST (2229 GMT)

CONCORD, N.C. -- Melling Racing has announced it had to layoff some team members on Wednesday.

The team is not closing down, but they are desperately searching for a sponsor to replace Kodiak, who announced their departure from Winston Cup racing a few months ago.

Melling has been a part of Winston Cup racing for 20 years and currently fields the No. 92 Dodge driven by Stacy Compton.

Winston Cup Standings  Compton's 2001 Stats

"We still have a core group of employees working here," said Lake Speed Jr., team spokesperson. "We are not closed. Mark Melling (team owner) just wanted to give these guys the opportunity to find something else if they could."

Melling explained why he made the personnel cuts now.

Stacy Compton

"My greatest concern is that current Melling Racing employees have the best possible chance at landing on their feet," Melling said. "If nothing were to materialize, sponsor-wise, in the near future, the employees would be out looking for a job after all the other teams have filled their positions.

"I don't want that on my conscience. I would like to think that Melling is known as and organization and family that is fair to its employees.

"My family has owned a car in the Daytona 500 field for the past 20 years. It's going to be a heartbreaker if that string is snapped. However, we need something in place very soon to make it 21 years.

"We have so many irons in the fire regarding sponsorship right now," Speed said. "But, this just isn't a good time of year to be searching for a sponsor. Money is not coming into the sport right now."

Melling started the 2001 season on the outside pole position for the Daytona 500. It backed up its superspeedway prowess with poles at both Talladega races.

However, Compton failed to make two races, had only one top-10 finish and ended up 33rd in points. The first-year Dodge team said they are not selling off equipment or cars to make ends meet.

"We need help, we need something before Daytona," Speed said.