DRIVER PROFILE - Rob Mellott

Rob at Port Royal Speedway Name: Rob Mellott
Birthdate: 11/26/1973
Hometown: Bellefonte, PA
Marital Status: Married
Family: Wife-Nicki, Children- Kyler, Kara, and Katie
Occupation: Electronic Engineering Technician, Part-time Race Driver
How did you choose your car number? The number 60 was first used in the mid 1950’s by my Grandfather, and my Great Uncles. They had built a race car to compete at the old South Penn Speedway. That number was used later on by my Uncle, Denny Mellott, which raced many years in Western PA and Ohio. When I started racing Sprint Cars and competing against my uncle, I picked the letter “K”, being the first letter of my son and daughters names, to distinguish between him and me.
Chassis: J&J Auto Racing
Engine Builder: Kenny Imler
Owners: Chuck and Ann Mellott
Crew: Crew Chief-Rick Layton, Crew Members-Dan Layton, Gunnar Layton
Sponsors: Golden Flavor Sesame Sticks, SadSam Creations, Hostetler’s Concessions, RedFox Spouting, B&D Web Designs, Interchange Parts
Favorite Track: Port Royal Speedway
Divisions competed in: Karts (Stock, Modified, Cage), 305 Sprints, 410 Sprints
Years Racing: 19 years total (5 years in Sprint Cars)
Wins: Karts (72 feature wins, 203 heat race wins), Sprints (4 feature wins, 12 heat race wins)
Championships: 2 Kart Championships, ((Claar Raceway, Stock Lite Class, 1990)(Twin Hickory Speedway, Stock Appearing, 1991)
Regular Tracks/Series: PA 305 Sprint Series
Hobbies: Going to baseball games to see my son play. Spending time with my wife and children.
Favorite TV show: Ever would be MASH.
Favorite Music: Rock
Favorite Band: KISS
Favorite Food: Breaded Shrimp
Favorite Beverage: Dr. Pepper
Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster
Favorite Driver: Keith Kauffman

When and how did you get started in racing?

As a child, I spent a lot of time dreaming of becoming a race car driver. My dad would take me to the Bedford Speedway every Friday night to see the races. We sometimes would make the trip out to Mercer to watch my Uncle Denny race. I finally expressed enough interest in wanting to drive that my parents purchased a used racing kart for me to try. That was in 1986, and I’m still racing today.

Who had the biggest impact on your racing career and why?

That would be a combination answer. My parents, Chuck and Ann Mellott, got me into racing and are continuing to support me to this day. The other would be my Uncle, Denny Mellott that was the one that really taught me a lot about racing and driving a car.

What would you be doing if you weren't racing?

I’m not sure. My Family is the most important thing in my life and they are very involved with my racing career. If I wasn’t racing and I was doing something else, then as long as they were involved, that is all that would matter.

What is your favorite aspect of racing?

The competition

What is your greatest accomplishment/best memory?

I would have to say winning my first Sprint Car race at Lincoln Speedway.

What is the worst thing that has happened to you in racing, or your worst season?

I use to answer this question with a story about a wreck I had or something that went wrong, but truthfully, as long as I’m able to continue racing, it’s all been good. I’m getting to do something I really like to do, and all of the ups and downs are part of this great sport.

In your own words, describe your 2004 season:

It was a very successful season for us. We had many great runs but most important, we learned a lot.

What are your plans for the 2005 season?

To continue to build on what we were able to accomplish in 2004.

Where do you see Sprint Car racing five years from now?

I believe it will continue to grow and become even more popular than it is now across the country.

What is your ultimate goal?

To run 410’s in central PA full time.

Anything else you would like to add?

Visit our website at www.mellottracing.com

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