User talk:Lavonda6

Lewis Williams was tragically killed Oct. 25, 1989, in a tractor accident at his home in Stewartsville, N.J. He was 42. At the time of his death, he had recorded 2,019 winning drives, 337 two-minute miles and amassed over $8.8 millions in winning purses.

Lew's mother Hazel, his son Christopher and his brother Charles Williams were presented the wall of fame plaques for Lew as well as for his most famous horse, Whata Baron.

Williams dominated the racing circuit at Northfield Park during the early to mid-seventies, winning 17 Northfield driving titles. He won back-to-back "grand slams" in 1972 and 1973 and is regarded as the most successful black man in the history of harness racing.

Lew Williams broke records all over the country, including The Meadowlands, Maywoods Park (Ill.), Pompano Beach (Fla.) and Hollywood Park (Calif.). He also was a regular at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

At age 26, Lew recorded his 1,000th career victory at the Windsor, Ontario becoming one the youngest harness drivers ever to reach that milestone. With his favorite horse, Whata Baron, he recorded $1.2 million in winnings in 1978. The 9th best record in the nation.

His grandfather, Clyde Williams, gave him first horse when he was 14. He won the first race he ever drove in at age 16, and earned the nickname "SUPERLEW" or "LIGHTNING LEW", driving Dugo Silver Girl to victory at the Harrison County Fair. Since then he went from victory to victory.

His potent left handed whip established his career in the tri-state area before he took off on a historic career nationally. He is the only black man to ever drive in the Adios. He was one of the top ten drivers in the world. He won nine titles in a row at the Meadowlands. No one has ever won as close to 3,000 races in as short a time as Lew Williams.