1980 - Mel Kenyon lost by an even closer margin, three points in 1980, when Rich Vogler came back to claim a second title.

1981 - Mel Kenyon's unprecedented sixth championship, after those two consecutive squeakers, came in 1981.

1982 - Kevin Olson managed to win the 1982 title on consistency without the aid of a single victory while Mel Kenyon, second yet again, made history during the season by scoring his 100th USAC National Midget feature.

1983 - Rich Vogler was back on top for a third time in 1983.

1984 - Tom Bigelow, a USAC Midget campaigner of twenty years' standing but chasing the full circuit only for the second time, moved from second in 1983 to first, with none other than Mel Kenyon forced into the runner-up position for the seventh time.

1985 - In 1985, the amazing Mel Kenyon moved into an early lead, won his 103rd, 104th, and 105th National USAC Midget features and captured the National title for a seventh time.

1980's poster courtesy of Tom Eidemiller

Starts..................30
Feature Wins........5
Runner Ups...........4
3rd Place..............5
4th Place..............1
5th Place..............3
6th - 10th...........10
Failed to Qual.......4
Season Results.....2nd (new record: closest ever USAC points - Mel lost to Rich Vogler by 3 points)

Taken from "A Hand For the Wheel" by Jack Albinson

Starts..................26
Feature Wins........2
Runner Ups...........4
3rd Place..............5
4th Place..............2
5th Place..............1
6th - 10th.............4
Failed to Qual.......1
Season Results.....National Champion (by 8 points over Steve Lotshaw)

Taken from "A Hand For the Wheel" by Jack Albinson
Mel at the helm of a Champ Dirt Car.

Starts..................15
Feature Wins........2
Runner Ups...........6
3rd Place..............0
4th Place..............1
5th Place..............0
6th - 10th.............4
Failed to Qual.......0
Season Results.....2nd

Taken from "A Hand For the Wheel" by Jack Albinson

July 7,1982 - Kokomo, Indiana - Mel Kenyon wins his 100th USAC feature race.

Photo courtesy of Tom Eidemiller

Ready to test the new Suzuki V-8 at the Speedrome

Starts..................11
Feature Wins........0
Runner Ups...........1
3rd Place..............2
4th Place..............1
5th Place..............0
6th - 10th.............3
Failed to Qual.......0
Season Results.....8th

Taken from Open Wheel Magazine Feb. 1993
Mel at Terre Haute in 1983.

Starts..................20
Feature Wins........2
Runner Ups...........2
3rd Place..............3
4th Place..............1
5th Place..............1
6th - 10th.............6
Failed to Qual.......1
Season Results.....2nd

Photo courtesy of Tom Eidemiller

Mel was virtually stuck on the outside groove going into the first turn when John Andretti and Tom Hayworth made contact, forcing the lead pack to the outside. Kenyon's car struck another car and went for a horredous ride on top of the first turn wall. Mel was shaken but not injured.

Starts..................27
Feature Wins........3
Runner Ups...........7
3rd Place..............4
4th Place..............5
5th Place..............1
6th - 10th.............4
Failed to Qual.......1
Season Results.....National Champion (by 123 points over Rich Vogler)

Ready for battle!

Mel at Winchester in 1985

Mel and the VW #66 at the Speedrome

1985 USAC Midget Champion in Stan Lee's #66 VW powered racer.

Starts..................18
Feature Wins........2
Runner Ups...........1
3rd Place..............2
4th Place..............1
5th Place..............1
6th - 10th.............5
Failed to Qual.......0
Season Results.....2nd

Mel's V8 Suzuki in 1986.

Mel's 3-K VW powered midget.

Taken from Open Wheel Magazine Feb. 1993
The Bi-focal Brothers wrenchin' at The Action Track in Terre Haute.

Taken from Open Wheel Magazine Feb. 1993
Mel slashing inside of Dave Ray at Terre Haute in 1986.

Starts..................26
Feature Wins........2
Runner Ups...........2
3rd Place..............2
4th Place..............2
5th Place..............3
6th - 10th.............7
Failed to Qual.......0
Season Results.....5th

Taken from Open Wheel Magazine Feb. 1993

Kenyon leads the way in action from the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 1987. Mel behind the wheel of the "Suzuki V-8" consistantly turned laps as fast and faster than the Silver Crown cars on the big tracks.

Taken from Open Wheel Magazine
3-K's 14,000 RPM Suzuki V-8 Engine

Starts..................24
Feature Wins........1
Runner Ups...........5
3rd Place..............5
4th Place..............5
5th Place..............2
6th - 10th.............2
Failed to Qual.......1
Season Results.....4th

January 9, 1988 - Chili Bowl Nationals Mel finished 2nd in the first 10 lap heat race in Tulsa, OK. and qualified for the feature. In the 40 lap feature Mel placed 5th. Scott Hatton was the event winner.

Starts..................14
Feature Wins........1
Runner Ups...........0
3rd Place..............2
4th Place..............0
5th Place..............2
6th - 10th.............5
Failed to Qual.......0
Season Results.....7th

Courtesy of www.openwheelracing.com

Mel Kenyon, inside, and Johnny Parsons warm their motors during the Thunder in the Dome event in 1989. Johnny is driving the #66 B&W plumbing car which was a 3-K team car to Mel's. Kenyon and Parsons also share a quiet religious devotion.