Mark Melchiori was born into a family that always liked racing. Some of his earliest memories are of sitting in the grandstands at Fireman’s Park in Cedarburg with his parents and Grandparents to watch the modifieds on Wednesday night. As he grew older he remembers going to Hales Corners, Slinger and, of course, the Milwaukee Mile. Needless to say, he never had a chance. The racing bug bit him and bit him hard.

After a youth full of “Hot Wheels” cars and glue-together model kits, Melchiori used the gift money he received upon graduating from high school in 1983 to buy his first “real” camera, a Canon AE-1. He had the intention of taking it to the track with him to get pictures of the racecars to make his models better. The very first race he shot was the 1983 Rex Mays Classic at the Mile.

Although Melchiori admitted those pictures did not turn out the best, he was determined to get better so his pictures could look like the “pros” someday. The pictures, however, did help his model building. In 1984 Melchiori became the youngest-ever Best of Show winner of the Milwaukee Classic model car contest held with the World of Wheels show at State Fair Park with a model of one of Bill Prietzel’s cars. Melchiori still holds this hobby and, in fact, writes for Scale Auto Magazine.

Melchiori married his wife Dawn in 1989. The couple welcomed the addition of their son Matthew, who shares Mark’s passion for building model cars, in 1993.

Melchiori received his photography break in 2000 when he saw an ad in the back of Midwest Racing News from Hales Corners Speedway. They were looking for a track photographer. Melchiori shot pictures at Hales until mid-season of 2001.

Then, in 2005, Melchiori became the photographer at the Lake Geneva Raceway. Unfortunately, the stint at Lake Geneva was short lived as the track closed in 2006. Melchiori admits he and his family were able to make many good friends at LGR that they still have today.

Without a home in 2007, Melchiori headed to the Rockford Spring Opener. After speaking with Gregg McKarns, he was invited to follow the Big-8 Late Models through their season. Later in the year, Mid-Am photographer Doug Hornickel had a schedule conflict and could not shoot a race at Madison. Melchiori received a call from Doug Strasburg and jumped at the chance.

Melchiori felt very comfortable after his first race with Mid-American. Having never met Doug and Julie before, he was amazed by the warm welcome that he received from them and the racers. Melchiori claims he felt even more welcome when Mid-American announcer Matt Panure announced a thank you from the series over the P.A. system.

Things grew again in 2008 for Melchiori. He put together a website, www.mdmracepix.com, to make it easier for the racers and fans to see, and hopefully order, their photos. He also filled in for Doug and Chuck Look on a few occasions with the Mid-American while continuing his duties with the Big-8 series as well as the Midwest Enduro Stock Cars.

Melchiori states he and his family are very thankful to the opportunities that each of these series provides them. He would personally like to thank Doug and Julie, Doug Hornickel, Chuck Look and the entire Mid-American Stock Car Series for allowing him to come play with them.

Dawn, Matthew and Mark will be at quite a few Mid-Am races in 2009 and wish everyone a safe and successful season.