Post by QueenCityMotorsports.com on Jan 10, 2008 11:07:12 GMT -5
Melvin "Mel" Cornett, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio on May 22, 1935, and later relocated to Wisconsin, passed away in San Benito, Texas on Saturday January 5, 2008 at the age of 71.
Mel was a owner/operator truck driver and a well known Race Driver who ran mostly Midget cars throughout the Midwest with the Badger and USAC organizations. Mel had 1 USAC Sprint car win and 2 USAC midget wins to his credit, with one of the Midget wins coming at the Tri-County Speedway on Saturday April 11, 1970 for owner Bob Willey (#74). He also competed in two USAC Championship (Indy) car events at the Milwaukee Mile in 1974 and 1975. On August 11, 1974, Mel finished 21st at the Milwaukee 200, only completing 10 laps in the Minnesota Serendipity Mongoose #53. On June 8, 1974, Mel finished 16th at Milwaukee after an accident ended his day at 46 laps driving the Minnesota Serendipity Lola #53.
R.I.P Mel
Mel's nephew Paul Cornett, Jr. fielded Sprint cars in the late 80's and early '90's for Kenny Rice at Lawrenceburg Speedway abd other tracks.
Mel was a owner/operator truck driver and a well known Race Driver who ran mostly Midget cars throughout the Midwest with the Badger and USAC organizations. Mel had 1 USAC Sprint car win and 2 USAC midget wins to his credit, with one of the Midget wins coming at the Tri-County Speedway on Saturday April 11, 1970 for owner Bob Willey (#74). He also competed in two USAC Championship (Indy) car events at the Milwaukee Mile in 1974 and 1975. On August 11, 1974, Mel finished 21st at the Milwaukee 200, only completing 10 laps in the Minnesota Serendipity Mongoose #53. On June 8, 1974, Mel finished 16th at Milwaukee after an accident ended his day at 46 laps driving the Minnesota Serendipity Lola #53.
R.I.P Mel
Mel's nephew Paul Cornett, Jr. fielded Sprint cars in the late 80's and early '90's for Kenny Rice at Lawrenceburg Speedway abd other tracks.