DeGRAFF — Saturday’s racing at Shady Bowl Speedway will be dedicated to the memory of Bill “Pappy” Lewis. Lewis was a builder and owner of some the quickest cars ever to compete at Shady Bowl. Lewis began his racing career as a mechanic for Fort Wayne driver Cliff Setser. He moved his family that included six children to Dayton in 1962.

Lewis soon was building his own cars. He chased his racing dreams on a very limited budget. He never had the best of parts or a high-dollar sponsor, racing out of his own pocket. The names of some of the drivers who piloted his cars included Dick Eder, Art Scott, Clyde Bail, Hank Hoerner, Bill Mullins and his youngest son, Rick.

Lee Raymond, a two-time ARCA champiom, was also a driver of his stock car. Lewis garnered several awards for his efforts including The Dick Freeman Memorial Award, The Outstanding Service Award from Shady Bowl Speedway and the KilKare Speedway Golden Wrench Award. The team posted many wins and track championships over the years. He was also a founding member of the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club (DARF).

Lewis passed away in 2011. Jim Lewis and his son Jim Jr. are carrying the Lewis legacy now. In his honor, the modifieds will run a 50-lap feature paying $1,500 to the winner. The late models, street stocks, compacts, pure stocks and the spectator drag racing cars will also see action. Racing will start at 7 p.m.