Mel Kenyon

Mel Kenyon started his long career in the United States Auto Club in 1962. Racing in all divisions he worked his way up to the world famous Indianapolis 500. Starting in his first 500 in 1966 he finished 5th. This was followed by a 3rd in 1968, a 4th in 1969 and 1973. Mel had 8 500 starts.
Mel suffered from a severe crash in an Indy car 1965. The crash caused severe burns on his body and lost most of his left hand. All of his seven national titles(except the one in 1964) were won while driving with one good hand. Mel and his Brother Don invented a glove for his left hand that attached to a pin on the steering wheel.
After several years in USAC, Mel moved to the NAMARS series in 1995. Mel continued his winning ways, capturing the Championship in 1995, 96 and 97. Mel is still racing to this day in NAMARS, and raced in the first NAMARS 500. (500 lap midget race)
Mel is one of my favorite Drivers and he is blast to watch. I know this feature doesn't do him justice. If there is anything anyone would like to add, please E-mail me at: jay@trainsandracing.com
Here are some amazing stats on Mel:
Joined USAC in 1962
1000+feature starts
111 wins, 502 top 5 finishes
131 seconds 107 thirds
7 USAC National titles, 8 second place standings
Finished in the top 5 in points 21 times
8 National car-owner championship titles.
He and his Brother Don build other(Keryon Cars) cars and own 3-k Motorsports.