Ft. Wayne special event sees early entries

Kenyons Among Early Ft. Wayne Entries

USAC National Midget Car Series legend Mel Kenyon and his son Brice Kenyon are among the early entries for the two-day "Rumble in Ft. Wayne" indoor special event for USAC midgets, with full midget programs starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 29-30 in Ft. Wayne's Memorial Coliseum Expo Center in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Mel, a seven-time USAC national champion, is expected to drive his legendary 3-K Racing machine, while Brice, the 2004 Blossom Chevrolet Indianapolis Speedrome Ford Focus Midget Car Series titlist, will drive the 3-K Racing Focus car. The event is unique in that it will attract full-sized midgets, Ford Focus midgets, and Kenyon midgets, the first time all three have competed in the same race.

"As far as I'm concerned, they're all the same indoors," said Kenyon, whose 111 USAC National Midget Car Series feature victories ranks first all-time. "I started 14th one night last year in a Kenyon car and finished fifth, and then the second night started 13rd and finished second in a regular midget. Indoor racing is always different; it's almost like a rodeo. If you take your time and with the Lord's help, you might finish good. You just can't get in too much of a hurry."

Mel has had an exceptional career in USAC races indoors. His six victories, ranked fourth in USAC history all-time behind Rich Vogler (10), Sleepy Tripp (nine) and Gary Bettenhausen (eight), include three at Ft. Wayne and one each at the Cincinnati Gardens, the San Francisco Cow Palace, and the Peoria (Ill.) Civic Center.

Brice, who claimed the inaugural Speedrome Ford Focus Midget Car Series, won twice on the 1/5-mile paved oval en route to the series title. He still seeks his first USAC indoor feature start.

The two-day show will salute the accomplishments of Bettenhausen, who will be the Grand Marshal of the event. Bettenhausen won three indoor shows at Ft. Wayne in 1975 and 1976 and is a 21-time starter in the Indianapolis 500.

Fans can pick up free Bettenhausen posters and calendars at the door and attend the event's autograph sessions at 6 each evening. Midget practice begins each day at 9:45 a.m., with time trials at 2 p.m. and racing at 7. A 60-lap feature will conclude each night's festivities. Single- and two-day pit passes and tickets will be on sale at the door.

--USAC--