Lew Williams - First African American to be Inducted Into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame

Goshen, NY, June 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Harness Racing Immortals Hall of Fame

2009 Inductee – Lewis D. Williams
(1947-1989)

Lewis D. Williams won his first harness race at sixteen. He soon became the most successful African-American in the primarily Caucasian world of harness racing; however, in spite of his many accomplishments in the sport, Lew always felt his skin color hampered him from attracting new owners as easily as his white counterparts.

Williams was one of the most popular trainer-drivers in the business. He dominated the racing circuit at Northfield Park , OH during the early to mid-seventies, winning seventeen Northfield driving titles. In 1972 he won a career-best 265 races, to rank fourth among all North American drivers. Often driving six and seven horses on an evening’s card, he went on to break records at tracks all over the country, including The Meadowlands, NJ; Maywood Park, IL; Pompano Park, FL; Yonkers Raceway, NY; Hollywood Park, CA and even Windsor Raceway in Ontario, Canada where Lew became one of the youngest drivers to record his 1,000th career victory. In 1985 he surpassed the 2,000 win plateau.

Innovative and creative, Lew modernized the sport of harness racing by introducing a new way to race. Traditional strategy made races begin as a mad dash for the lead and then continue in single file formation until the last quarter. Lew’s strategy focused on making moves early, which forced other drivers to make bad decisions. Now most – if not all – drivers plan their races that way.

Lew had his angels, but he also had his demons. For many years Lew fought bravely against his substance dependency. On several occasions his driving credentials were suspended and he voluntarily entered drug rehabilitation facilities a number of times. Lew was on the rebound, awaiting his USTA license renewal, when he died in 1989 from injuries sustained in a tractor accident. At the time of his death he had recorded 2,023 winning drives, 337 two-minute miles, amassed over $8.834 million in winning purses and maintained an average UDR of .303. He was inducted into Northfield Park ’s Wall of Fame in 1990.

For information on The Harness Racing Museum's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, including ticketing and hotel information, call the museum at 845.294.6330. Attendance at the event is open to the public and encouraged.

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