8/25/2025
The Dirt Track at Genesee
Honoring a Legacy: DeWitt Debuts Throwback Look for Gene DeWitt Memorial
BATAVIA, NY – This Saturday, The Dirt Track at Genesee will once again host one of the region’s most anticipated events: the Gene DeWitt Memorial. The occasion is more than a race; it is a celebration of a family legacy that helped shape the landscape of NASCAR Modified racing, and it carries deep personal significance for Byron DeWitt II, grandson of Gene DeWitt and son of Byron DeWitt.
For DeWitt II, organizing the Memorial is both a labor of love and a mission of remembrance. “It’s huge to do something in honor of my grandfather,” he explained. “Gail and I were just talking, and as of right now she has a little over $3,000 in lap money, and it’s my goal to eventually make this the biggest street stock race in the area. We even thought about bringing the Gene DeWitt Memorial to the two-day show next year.”
His wife, Gail, has been a cornerstone in keeping the event alive. “She’s the driving force on this team,” DeWitt II said. “When it comes to winning or running competitively, we put our life and soul into this thing. She puts so much time and energy into everything, and it takes a special person to do that.” Their shared passion for the sport underscores the deeply personal nature of the event.
This year, DeWitt II will debut a throwback paint scheme honoring the cars that defined his grandfather’s career. The design pays tribute to Richie Evans, the legendary driver who piloted Gene DeWitt’s iconic cars during one of the most successful eras in NASCAR Modified history. “This has been in the works for 10 years,” DeWitt II said. “It finally worked out between me, Close Racing Supply, and Phil Vigneri to do a throwback to Richie Evans—the Camaro they ran at Daytona that won two out of the four races entered. Joel Smith came on board with great sponsorship, and Vigneri is on board, but we are doing a full throwback to the Richie Evans Camaro next week. Very excited. It’s going to be a beautiful-looking car. The Camaro that we are copying is in the Talladega Hall of Fame.”
The partnership between Evans and Gene DeWitt is one of the most celebrated in short-track racing history. Evans, known as “The Rapid Roman,” dominated the NASCAR Modified Tour throughout the 1970s and 1980s, claiming nine National Modified Championships, including an astonishing streak of eight consecutive titles from 1978 to 1985. His bright orange No. 61 Modified became one of the most iconic cars in short-track racing, earning a place in the hearts of fans across the country.
Gene DeWitt, primarily a car owner, was the steady hand behind Evans’ brilliance on the track. DeWitt provided the resources, structure, and support that allowed Evans to focus on racing, resulting in an extraordinary 425 wins together from 1973 to 1985. Their friendship and mutual respect were the foundation of their success. “They were best friends—that’s why they were so successful,” DeWitt II said. His father added, “It was sponsorship, yes, but they were definitely best friends.”
The impact of the DeWitt–Evans partnership extended far beyond victories and trophies. DeWitt was a visionary whose influence helped shape the sport itself. From revitalizing Watkins Glen to improving facilities at Perry Speedway, he combined business acumen with a genuine love for racing. “Gene DeWitt was the first Rick Hendrick,” DeWitt II said. “He was the first multi-car team owner winning championships. He did so much for the sport. Watkins Glen was dead at one time—Gene brought Watkins Glen back to what it is now. If it wasn’t for Gene, Watkins Glen wouldn’t be there right now. Perry Speedway? The concrete around there? Gene did all that. He was a racing enthusiast with a business that could help a lot. He knew racing.”
Despite Evans’ untimely death in 1985, just days after clinching his ninth championship, his influence continues to reverberate through grassroots and professional racing. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012, a distinction that cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats. DeWitt II believes his grandfather deserves equal recognition. “Richie has nine championships, and Gene has ten,” he said, emphasizing the enduring impact Gene had on the sport.
Fans and racers continue to flock to the Gene DeWitt Memorial, drawn by both nostalgia and respect for a legend. “We get guys that want to come to support,” DeWitt II said. “We’re predicting 20–25 guys.” While the younger generation may not fully understand the magnitude of the DeWitt–Evans era, the family remains steadfast in preserving the legacy. “We’re keeping his legacy alive—that’s number one for me,” DeWitt II said. “We lost him at 60 years old. To tell you how well respected he was, they announced it at the Daytona International Speedway: ‘We have just lost Gene DeWitt.’ That’s how respected he was in the NASCAR community and the racing community.”
As engines roar to life this weekend, the DeWitt family is committed to making the Memorial an event worthy of its namesake. DeWitt II’s vision is clear: “Make it the biggest street stock race in this area.” With the throwback Camaro on the track, fans in the pits, and the spirit of Gene DeWitt and Richie Evans alive in every corner of the track, the Memorial promises to be more than just a race—it is a living tribute to a legacy built on speed, friendship, and a relentless love for racing.
Article Credit: Jeremy Perry
Submitted By: Jeremy Perry
