He hailed from Atlanta, GA. Felton graduated from the University of North Carolina and served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

He resided in Roswell, GA. at the time of his death[1] Felton began his motor sports career drag racing.

In 1967, Felton was the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) A Sedan Class Southeastern regional champion.

In 1973, Felton won another 250-mile race, the IMSA Camel GT series Paul Revere 250, at Daytona.

In 1976, Gene qualified for his first NASCAR Grand National race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway Dixie 500.

[2] From 1974 through 1977, Gene Felton garnered 15 IMSA Champion Spark Plug Series event wins.

He also won 12 Hours of Sebring, Road Atlanta, Charlotte, Pocono, and the first Miami Grand Prix event in the GTO Class.

[1] In October 1984, Felton was critically injured during a Trans-Am race at the Riverside International Speedway in California.

[1] In 1985 through 1986, Felton continued to race in IMSA Kelly American Challenge and GTO series events.

[1] In 1992, Felton founded the Historic Stock Car Race series and was the HSR Sprint Challenge champion.

[8] 1979 - IMSA Mechanic of the Year Feb 1984 - Motor Trend Illustrated Racer of the Week Apr 1985 - Champion Racer of the Week 1993 - Invited & Competed in Fastmasters Championship 1993 - Nominated for International Motorsports Hall of Fame 1999 - Invited & Competed in Pro-Am Champion Celebrity Race in Tustin, CA In 2003, Felton was nominated to the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame.