38-year-old man who died in IMS lot 'lived and breathed' for the Indy 500, wife says

The man who was found dead in one of the parking lots of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend "lived and breathed" for the Indianapolis 500, his wife said.

Adam Melchi, a 38-year-old who lived in Plano, Ill, had been going to the race for 21 years, Sarah Melchi said.

The father of five told Sarah awhile ago that he wanted his ashes spread at the track. Together they were planning to get a commemorative brick at IMS when they were older, she said.

"He was such a huge fan," she said. "And it's devastating he died at the place where he wanted ashes spread."

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Campers who stayed the night after the race found Adam's body around 1:45 p.m. on Monday, Speedway police said. He was discovered in a tent in Lot 2, the lot located on Georgetown Road across from Gate 6 to the infield.

Police said they do not believe the death was suspicious, but the cause is still under investigation. The results of an autopsy have not yet been released.

Sarah said her husband had no concerning medical conditions. He went to the race with the same group of friends as always, she said, but ended up being the last of the group there. She was at home.

Temperatures reached near record highs on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Police have not said whether heat was a factor in his death.

Sarah said their second wedding anniversary was coming up in August.

They met while working together at an Illinois high school, where Sarah is a teacher and Adam was an administrative assistant. He had worked there for 17 years, and his father worked there before him, Sarah said.

His love for the Indy 500 was passed down from his father, Sarah said. He was a big fan of Helio Castroneves and had traveled to different states to watch team Penske.

IndyStar found an archived photo of Melchi. He was photographed at the 2017 Brickyard 400, a NASCAR race, for a portrait series of fans with interesting tattoos. Melchi was showing his Indianapolis Motor Speedway tattoo.

Melchi had five children, Sarah said, including two kids with his ex-wife, a step-child and two children with Sarah. Their youngest is 5-months old, she said.

"His babies will miss him," she said. "He loved them so much. And me."

Call IndyStar reporter Emma Kate Fittes at (317) 513-7854. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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