Mel Kenyon

AeroTRrat · Apr 8, 2013

It's not often that we get to pay tribute to a Racecar Driver who is turning 80. Lets face it, Racing does not promote a long life in most cases. Mel is an Indy car driver but is famous for his domination of the USAC Midget circuit.

April 15 is Mel Kenyon's Birthday and I'm building him an Offy Piston desk lamp and sending him a card. There is a goal of getting him 80 birthday cards for his 80th birthday. If you have time, grab a card and send it to him. Even though he will be 80, he still works in his shop and builds Offys for vintage racers. The guy is very active and I'm told he is as healthy as a horse. Way to go Mel!

His son has a Facebook page up for him: Mel Kenyon, Indy Car and Midget Racer

Here's the address they gave:
Mel Kenyon
C/O Joy Kenyon
2645 South 25 West
Lebanon IN 46052

I'll never forget seeing his smooth but agressive style on dirt. I know he will enjoy getting your cards.

Kiwi Kev · Apr 8, 2013

Maybe we could just put comments up here and his son can show him the thread. I used to watch Mel race back in the late 70's when he would tour down to New Zealand to race against the Kiwis and visiting Aussies. VW powered midgets with one wheel dangling in the air as I remember it. Sleepy Trip would also come down.Good racing! Thanks for the memories Mel!

O.Hove · Apr 8, 2013

Happy 80th Mel.
You lettered my Packard Henney.you put 1/16 H.P. on the front fenders.,plus Competition Specialist all along the side .I can still make it out (Just). It was my tow car for my Corvette
This was back in 1964,at Teal Body Shop when you were passing througt So.Dak.

Indy Bones · Apr 8, 2013

"Legend" is an overused word, but it damn sure fits Mel Kenyon. What an impact that man has had ...

slowmotion · Apr 8, 2013

Watched him many nights on the old "Thursday Night Thunder" ESPN live racing series. Always in the hunt. Happy 80th Mel, helluva ride, keep it goin'!

rd martin · Apr 8, 2013

mel is a wheel man! last time i saw him drive it was indoors at fortwayne indiana in the coloseum. happy bday mel!

bowtie40 · Apr 9, 2013

Got to meet him at the Indiana state fairgrounds, A real gentleman and one hell of a driver. happy birthday Mel.

aircap · Apr 9, 2013

Damn! Mel was the shit back in the day.

Pete1 · Apr 9, 2013

While we are on this subject, we should remember that there are hundred's of retired big name race drivers over 80 that are still racing in the vintage circuits around the country. You just have to do some serious deep research to find where they are.

exwestracer · Apr 10, 2013

Mel is/was a TRUE bad ass. I don't think there were many who could get more out of a midget than he could. The story of his burn recovery is pretty amazing as well.

Bill in Al · Apr 10, 2013

Happy Birthday Mel. I'm almost as old as you and sure did enjoy watching you over all these years. Thanks

tractorguy · Apr 10, 2013

Happy Birthday Mel.....and thanks for being one of the true class acts in auto racing. I've enjoyed watching you on a variety of tracks including back home in E. Iowa/Quad Cities of Illinois........Hope we can all be on here in 20yrs. to celebrate the big 100 !!!

AeroTRrat · Apr 11, 2013

While we are on this subject, we should remember that there are hundred's of retired big name race drivers over 80 that are still racing in the vintage circuits around the country. You just have to do some serious deep research to find where they are.
Click to expand...

Pete1, you are right and how lucky we are to know any of them. I did some work for "Ohio George " Montgomery, the "Malco Gasser" pilot from the 60's. He is still active and working hard in Dayton. I loved watching that Willys bounch down the strip... just like watching Mel Kenyon, Rich Vogler, Sleepy Trip and the Bettenhausens chasing each other around various dirt and hard tracks here in the midwest.

Futura63 · Apr 11, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL ! a real race car driver. as a kid if Mel was gonna be there dad took us .some were I have a pic of his glove and pin steering wheel set up , remarkable !

Mel Kenyon Fan · Apr 12, 2013

Thanks for the birthday wishes, guys! I'll make sure I show this to Pop when I go down to see him in the morning! I know he will get a kick out of it and will smile from ear to ear!

Much appreciated, Wayne!

noboD · Apr 12, 2013

Wayne, your father was my father's favorite Indy driver and certainly one of mine. I saw him race midgets in Hershey stadium back in the late 60's. Happy birthday to him.

D type · Apr 12, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mel hope your going left for many more years

Rick S · Apr 12, 2013

The company I work for sponsored Mel back in the '70s, I recently found this picture in the company archives.

Happy Birthday Mel

stanlow69 · Apr 12, 2013

I never knew of Mel until I read the article in Car and Driver or Road and Track or whatever magazine it was. Amazing article on the MAN. He was burnt so badly that he scared his voice box from the screams coming from so much pain he was in. About all the races he won over the years and the love and care he gave his wife when it would`ve been easier to put her in the nursing home. It was so inspiring to read that article that I copied it and showed it to a lot of people who needed a lift. Happy birthday MEL.

Jalopy Joker · Apr 12, 2013

Happy Birthday to a Youngster - lots of car guys older than you out there. Have a Special Day. Jalopy Joker

rusty28a · Apr 12, 2013

I met Mel at church when I was a teenager. I had a cousin who Mel knew and he talked to me for quite a while about racing. Super nice guy.

Log in or Sign up

Mel Kenyon

AeroTRrat
Member

from Hinsdale Illinois

Kiwi Kev
Member

from Ventura, CA , Hotrodders Paradise

O.Hove
Member Emeritus

from S.D.

Indy Bones
Member

from Indianapolis, IN

slowmotion
Member

from eastern ohio

rd martin
Member

from indiana

bowtie40
Member

from Lynnwood, Wa.

aircap
Member

from Doodah, Doodah

Pete1
Member

from Wa.

exwestracer
Member

from Latrobe, PA (Mister Rogers' neighborhood)

Bill in Al
Member

from Pell City Al

tractorguy
Member

from Delafield Wisconsin

AeroTRrat
Member

from Hinsdale Illinois

Futura63
Member

from N/W ohio

Mel Kenyon Fan
Member

from Greentown Indiana

noboD
Member

from central Pa.

D type
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from West Coast Canada

Rick S
Member

from Apple Valley, MN

Attached Files:

51.jpg

stanlow69
Member Emeritus

from red oak Iowa

Jalopy Joker
Member

from Rodsville, CA

rusty28a
Member

from Whistleville, IL

Share This Page

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

Log in or Sign up

Mel Kenyon

AeroTRrat Member from Hinsdale Illinois

Kiwi Kev Member from Ventura, CA , Hotrodders Paradise

O.Hove Member Emeritus from S.D.

Indy Bones Member from Indianapolis, IN

slowmotion Member from eastern ohio

rd martin Member from indiana

bowtie40 Member from Lynnwood, Wa.

aircap Member from Doodah, Doodah

Pete1 Member from Wa.

exwestracer Member from Latrobe, PA (Mister Rogers' neighborhood)

Bill in Al Member from Pell City Al

tractorguy Member from Delafield Wisconsin

AeroTRrat Member from Hinsdale Illinois

Futura63 Member from N/W ohio

Mel Kenyon Fan Member from Greentown Indiana

noboD Member from central Pa.

D type ALLIANCE MEMBER from West Coast Canada

Rick S Member from Apple Valley, MN

Attached Files:

51.jpg

stanlow69 Member Emeritus from red oak Iowa

Jalopy Joker Member from Rodsville, CA

rusty28a Member from Whistleville, IL

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

AeroTRrat
Member

from Hinsdale Illinois

Kiwi Kev
Member

from Ventura, CA , Hotrodders Paradise

O.Hove
Member Emeritus

from S.D.

Indy Bones
Member

from Indianapolis, IN

slowmotion
Member

from eastern ohio

rd martin
Member

from indiana

bowtie40
Member

from Lynnwood, Wa.

aircap
Member

from Doodah, Doodah

Pete1
Member

from Wa.

exwestracer
Member

from Latrobe, PA (Mister Rogers' neighborhood)

Bill in Al
Member

from Pell City Al

tractorguy
Member

from Delafield Wisconsin

AeroTRrat
Member

from Hinsdale Illinois

Futura63
Member

from N/W ohio

Mel Kenyon Fan
Member

from Greentown Indiana

noboD
Member

from central Pa.

D type
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from West Coast Canada

Rick S
Member

from Apple Valley, MN

stanlow69
Member Emeritus

from red oak Iowa

Jalopy Joker
Member

from Rodsville, CA

rusty28a
Member

from Whistleville, IL