Melo Motorsports to compete for ‘North State Challenge’ title

Steven Blakesley / Melo Motorsports
Redding, CA – Melo Motorsports announced plans today to campaign the full 2008 North State Challenge Series schedule in Dan Gamel-backed Chevrolets with driver Kyle Cattanach of Redding, CA.

Cattanach had an outstanding showing in 2007, scoring one win in Westcar Late Model competition and competing in four NASCAR Grand National West Series races.

While preserving his rookie status in the Grand National Series, Cattanach was able to amass three top-15 finishes, including a fourth place finish at Altamont in September.

Cattanach comes back to North State with unfinished business, after finishing second in the points and scoring Rookie of the Year honors in 2004. Cattanach missed out on the series title by just one point.

In 2005, he went on to ASA Speed Truck Challenge and again finished second in the points standings. The 2006 season saw Cattanach compete in several Late Model and NASCAR Southwest Series races, leading into the 2007 part-time Grand National effort.

While Cattanach will be motivated to run the full North State Challenge Series schedule in 2008, Melo Motorsports is optimistic and hopeful for an opportunity at the higher level to come for the talented driver.

“We are going to take this season race-by-race for Kyle,” Team Manager Marty Melo said. “Our focus is to keep him racing until he gets his chance to move up. We will be a contender to win the championship in North State but we want what’s best for Kyle’s future.”

Many of the same faces that made up the Melo Motorsports crew in 2007 will be returning, giving Melo and Cattanach a Grand National-quality team for the Super Late Model series.

North State Challenge Series will encompass six tracks and 12 events, with the season opening at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA on April 12.

Cattanach was the 2001 and 2002 Shasta Raceway Park champion, and should be strong in all three appearances there.

The series will visit Altamont twice and that should turn out to be another solid track for the team.

Melo Motorsports has updated its website for 2008 at www.melomotorsportsonline.com .

Melo Motorsports is brought to you by: Dan Gamel RV, Pepper Jack Kennels, Hawaiian Scene, Gerlinger Steel, Praxair, Shell Fast Track of Redding, Shell Sportsman Express, Colorcraft of Redding, and Java Jolt.