Good location, poor reputation
In the past, corporate sponsors looked at the speedway and no doubt saw decay.
Melfi, however, was able see past the peripheral and honed in on the opportunity. The track rests on an ideal location, right off Interstate 70 with easy accessibility. There are 2.5 million people within a 50-mile radius of the facility. And the half-mile asphalt track is the only NASCAR-sanctioned track in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The biggest challenge of turning the Motordrome into a destination spot has been overcoming the stodgy persona that the facility assumed over the past few years.
Melfi, no stranger to the NASCAR circuit, is up for the challenge, though. He previously built Lake Erie Speedway and worked as the general manager for Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.
“Because I have built and operated racetracks before I am confident in my abilities to make it work,” he says. “I have also been fortunate to have worked at some of the most well-known organizations and venues in the world — through Madison Square Garden in New York City — where I gained experience and knowledge that can easily be converted to helping make Motordrome a huge success.”
Cautious optimism
When bouncing around ideas to improve the speedway, Melfi doesn’t have to look far for guidance — his wife, Melissa, is the executive vice president. Other than never truly being able to disconnect from work, Melfi loves the arrangement.
“It’s great to be invested in something together and be able to make decisions that are not only in the best interest of our business, but also in our lives as a whole, which makes us ever more cautious of the decisions that we do make,” he says.
So, what is Melfi’s advice to others about turning around a once-struggling business?
Expect the worst and hope for the best.
“You really have to know what you’re getting into and have the knowledge that the business can in fact work in the area that it is located,” he says. “No matter what the business is it will not be a quick process, so you will need to have the ability to stick it out for a few years and be consistent and persistent in your efforts.”
