Mitchell, IN --- Long time dirt Late Model car owner Harry “Gene” Dalton, 67, of Mitchell, IN, formerly of Bedford, IN, passed away Saturday March 22, 2003 after fighting a long battle with cancer. Dalton passed away at 11:53 p.m. Saturday at Bedford Regional Medical Center.
Dalton was a popular figure at racetracks in the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio region for several decades, fielding dirt Late Model racecars for a wide variety of the sport’s top drivers, including the late Kenny Simpson. Other winning drivers who drove for Dalton over the years included such stars as Paul Crockett, Russ Petro, Don Hobbs, Ira Bastin, Jack Owens, Terry English, John Gill, Bryan Asbury and several others. Dalton’s career as a car owner was an ultra-successful one with countless feature wins turned in by his drivers including track championships and series championships.
Among some of Dalton’s accomplishments include several Brownstown (IN) Speedway track titles, two wins in the illustrious “Jackson 100” event at Brownstown Speedway with drivers Simpson and Crockett and an UMP national championship title with John Gill at the wheel. In addition, Dalton’s cars were frequent competitors over the years at NDRA, All Stars, STARS and UMP sanctioned events, among others.
Dalton was born on January 25, 1936 and was retired from Central Foundry (GM) in Bedford, IN. He was a veteran of the United States Navy.
Survivors include three sons, Michael Alan Dalton of Mitchell, Robert “Bobby” and Steve Dalton, both of Bedford; three daughters, Beth Guthrie of Mitchell, Teresa Dalton of Trinity Springs and Christie Crider of Sneedville, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Kenny Dalton of Bedford and Jack Dalton of Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters, Sue Hack of Mitchell and Donna Gentry of Washington.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Day & Carter Mortuary of Bedford. Burial will be in Tunnelton Cemetery with military rites to be accorded at the graveside by members of American Legion Gillen Post No. 33. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.
