Ronnie Duman (#7) being chased by #61 Mel Kenyon at Dixie Speedway near Flint, Michigan.
This is the first of what I expect will be several posts on USAC midget racing in 1963. I spent the summer of 1963 photographing at several Michigan tracks. Mostly I was at the Mt. Clemens Race Track but I also photographed at Dixie and Flat Rock speedways in Michigan.
Ronnie Duman, born in 1929, was racing on the USAC midget circuit in 1963. Starting the following year, he went on to be a five-time starter of the Indianapolis 500 (1964-68). His best finish was 6th in 1968. I was at the 500 in 1964 when Duman was burned but miraculously survived the fiery accident on the second lap that killed drivers Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald. Ronnie Duman died on June 9, 1968 while competing in the Rex Mays 150 at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds when he suffered massive head injuries in a third lap crash.
One of the greatest midget drivers of all time, Mel Kenyon is the only survivor of the 1973 Indy 500 still racing - despite being over 70. Still races midget cars four or five times a week & is still ultra-competitive. In 2002, he won a race at Camden Speedway beating a driver 54 years younger than himself! All of this is even more amazing, considering he has driven most of his life without fingers on his left hand after an accident in 1965. Thanks to http://www.oldracingcars.com/bydriver for information on Mel Kenyon.
Love your site; you're doing a great job. Ronnie Duman was resident of Speedway, Indiana during much of his driving career, and his son is the crew chief for IndyCar racer Marty Roth.
Posted by: Kevin Triplett | July 31, 2006 at 04:00 PM