Ohio Valley Speedway Welcomes Gene Johnson Memorial This Saturday

(Parkersburg, West Virginia) Throughout the Ohio Valley region, one would not have to go far to find a race fan who didn’t call Gene Johnson a friend, hero or legend. The former racer, turned friend of the sport and a respected presence by all, left a deep and strong impression in the hearts of many throughout his life, and this coming Saturday night May 13th, the Ohio Valley Speedway and the Johnson family will celebrate Gene’s life as the Ohio Valley Speedway hosts the 2nd Annual Gene Johnson Memorial. The event which will be held at the Ohio Valley Speedway is designed to celebrate Gene’s life while also featuring an exciting night of racing just as Gene would had wanted.

The event which returns for it’s second year, will move from the Legendary Hilltop Speedway in Marietta Ohio to the Ohio Valley Speedway in Lubeck West Virginia, where Gene and the entire Johnson family have shared so many great racing memories. Gene who’s own racing career began in 1975, focused much of his career upon racing at ‘the valley’ and as time would go on, Gene’s son Kenny Johnson would go on to have his share of success at the speedway, even most recently picking the win in the track’s season opening AMRA Modified feature. Outside of his racing career, Gene made no doubts about the fact that his family was priority and many of the younger fans today, remember Gene as the dedicated father who supported his son Kenny Johnson on his way to countless wins and 6 AMRA Modified National Championships.

The Gene Johnson Memorial is slated to mark the second event held at the Ohio Valley Speedway in 2017, following a series of Saturday’s dominated by Mother Nature. The track which is known to produce exciting racing and stout competition each week, looks for this Saturday’s event to do just that. With a “hidden purse” bonus payout structure, trophies, and more all in place for Saturday’s event, Ohio Valley expects a great field of cars and an exciting night of racing which will feature the always popular AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, AMRA Sport Mods and 4-Cylinders plus WRA Mini Wedges. (See track per payout info)
Saturday’s event will kick off with gates opening at 4 PM and will continue with Mini Wedges taking to the track at 6:00 and the evening’s drivers meeting set for 6:30. The evening’s Hot Lap session is tentatively set for 7:00 and heats will follow. General Admission is set at $15 with kids 10 & under receiving free general admission, while pits remain at $30. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase special Gene Johnson Memorial shirts designed by Cooper Designs at the track Saturday, and fans are encouraged to pick them up quickly as they are expected to sell out!

Those looking for more information on the event are encouraged to check out ohiovalleyspeedway.com as well as Ohio Valley Speedway on Facebook.