Harry Melling (NASCAR owner)

For the British actor from the Harry Potter films, see Harry Melling (actor).

Harry Melling (June 13, 1945 – May 29, 1999) was the team owner of Melling Racing, which won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship with Bill Elliott.

Background

Melling graduated from Ferris State University. Melling succeeded his father Benjamin as President of Melling Tool in 1975. Melling Tool is a maker of automotive products. Melling also owned Treetops Sylvan Resort in Gaylord, Michigan, turning a small local ski hill into a national skiing and golfing destination.

NASCAR team owner

Main article: Melling Racing

Melling Racing car that set the record for the fastest recorded time in a stock car - 212.809 mph (342.483 km/h) at Talladega Superspeedway

Melling's first involvement in NASCAR began in 1979 as a primary sponsor for Benny Parsons. Melling Racing won the NASCAR Winston Cup points championship with Bill Elliott.

Death

Melling died of a heart attack in Gaylord, Michigan.

Awards

• Posthumously inducted in the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame (2004)

• Melling was named one of NASCAR's "40 most important people in NASCAR history" by Winston Cup Scene, an industry NASCAR magazine, in 1997.

External links

• Harry Melling owner statistics at Racing-Reference
• Brief Biography