RACER: Robin Miller on Mel Kenyon
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- Mel Kenyon is all-time leader in victories (111) and championships (seven) in USAC's midget division but he'll be as remembered for his comeback as much as his achievements,
A year after claiming his initial midget title, Kenyon was badly burned in the 1965 Indy car race at Langhorne, Pa. -- losing all the fingers on his left hand. Following a few months recovering at the burn center in San Antonio, he and brother Don, his chief mechanic for life, invented a glove that affixed to the steering wheel and that's how he raced the next five decades.
Using that special device in an Indy car didn't prove to be a handicap either as Miraculous Mel made his Indy 500 debut in 1966 and finished fifth in one of those great comeback stories. He was third in 1968, fourth in 1969 and fourth again in his last Indy start in 1973.
But midgets were his passion and he captured USAC championships in 1966, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1981 and 1985 -- a year after being inducted into the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame.
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Robin thanks for this historic & valuable insight & keeping Racing alive
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. wasn't even a week ago you did the story on Hercules Jim, you are on your game. I don't remember if I met Jim but I was lucky enough to meet mel Kenyon at INDY with my dad, also read the book burned to life. I loved going to the old timers conventions with my dad you never knew who was going to be there. And I say old timers with respect. 🤠 please keep the good work up I love hearing the story's.
I was a volunteer at a Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Detroit around 2012 or 2013. At the beginning of the event, as we gathered around the cheese and meats during the pre-reception part of the evening, I met Mel and his wife. Talking to his wife was even better than talking to Mel, as she mentioned that all these clubs wanted him to come and speak to them. They always wanted him to do it for free. She said Mel was too proud or humble or whatever to ask for money, so he would drive several hours away to do these events, and not even receive anything to cover his gas costs and such.
It's always interesting to hear the wife's point of view.
Jim P., Macomb, MI
Mel Kenyon. A Lebanon, Indiana Racing Champion. A well known Sprint Car Champion and Indy car driver. A class Act. Shawn.
I remember Mel from the Thursday nite Thunder stuff. He also gave some kid named Ryan Newman a start. If I remember the story correct Mel was the first guy to get the VW powered cars to run good and be winners.
Thanks Robin. Great video
Met Mel at Mesa Marin bout 78/79..
The green Sprite car is one of my all time favorites. I love it so much that most of my RC cars are painted that color. All because I saw that car when I was eight years old.
I recall those Sprite Specials like it was yesterday.
Thanks Robin
I saw him race at IRP in the early 90’s
I met Mel Kenyon at Eldora in 1988.I was surprised to learn he had told my Dad that he had been offered a ride at Indy the previous two years but had turned it down.Something about he was uncomfortable with his legs being so far forward of the front wheels in the 1987-88 era cars.
Over a 100 wins, but he finished 2nd about a 300 times. The greatest midget driver ever.
Met Mel at the 2000 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Irwindale. It was won by Tony Stewart. Mel was great with the fans, the less said about Tony Stewart the better.
Which hand did you sh- oh, wait.
I'm happy that Robin mentioned Allen Heath.I read about him in a book,"Daredevils Of The Speedway."
A guy I know in Dayton, Ohio has Mel Kenyon's vw powered midget that , when it was retired was supposed to be the winningest midget of all time.
Ole Mel was an absolute badd-A$$ in a midget. I saw him dust off a bunch of good ones at Kil Kare Speedway.
Mel was a great one. You would go to those midget races and he had legions of fans. Robin is so right about his record at Indy. He always seemed to bring it home with a damned good finish. Not much out there that Mel didn't accomplish.
1976 The USAC midgets came to State Fair Speedway in Huron, South Dakota. I watched the race & after went to the pits to look around. Got to met Mel Kenyon. Kenyon had got his front wheel on another cars rear tire then flipped his car right in front of the grandstand About 10 minutes later Mel was back out on the track as another racer gave him their car to drive . like the video spoke he was a man of faith, & I remember him passing a small card with a scripture of faith on it to those us us that went to his car in the pits. I'll never forget Mel Kenyon. Another racer was also there by name of Sleepy Tripp.
No open wheeler will ever forget Mel Kenyon. He was one of the very best.
I got that card Mel also, Great Man !
Iowa boy....
Please get back on TV.