Story BY: JEREMY PERRY / THE DIRT TRACK AT GENESEE – BATAVIA, NY – In a move set to revitalize the local racing scene, James Gayton has been appointed the new track promoter of Genesee Speedway, now rebranded as “The Dirt Track at Genesee.”
The Genesee County Fair Board awarded Gayton a three-year contract with options for extension on Thursday, November 14th.
Gayton, a familiar face at the speedway since 2016, boasts an impressive racing resume, with over 50 feature wins and one-track championship. He’s now trading in his helmet for a promoter’s hat, bringing his expertise and passion to the forefront.
Gayton outlined his vision for The Dirt Track at Genesee, featuring significant enhancements. The track, formerly Genesee Speedway, will undergo rebranding and welcome back Go-Karts on Friday nights after a year-and-a-half break. Extensive upgrades include over 100 loads of new clay on the 3/8-mile surface courtesy of KTS Customs Trucking, surface rockhounding by Shuknecht Professional Drainage Systems, constructing a new tower, Live timing and scoring courtesy of My Race Pass, renovating bathrooms, including credit/debit card acceptance alongside cash, and upcoming launches of a revamped website to elevate the overall experience.
Fans can anticipate a comprehensive schedule release in the coming months, currently under development and pending Fair Board approval. Tentative plans outline the season opening on Saturday, May 3rd, concluding with Championship Night on Labor Day weekend. This year’s schedule will feature select Thursday night races and culminate in the highly anticipated Topless Weekend, with a date to be announced soon. Note that dates are subject to change.
The Dirt Track at Genesee welcomes back its six divisions from 2024: Rush Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Novice Sportsman, and Bandits. Notably, the Sportsman division will operate independently in 2025, maintaining its traditional format outside the Dirtcar banner. Additionally, Gayton expresses optimism about introducing a limited 358 Modified mini-series to the track’s 2025 lineup, promising an exciting season ahead.
The Dirt Track at Genesee is poised for a transformative 2025 season, prioritizing fan experience. Gayton stresses, “Delivering an exceptional experience for every driver and fan is our top priority.” The Gayton family is committed to revitalizing the track, promising a fun, family-filled, affordable night with racing action.