| Big Crowd Sees Jeff Choquette Win Inaugural Cecil Williams Memorial | Story And Photos By Rick Warren
One of the largest crowds in recent memory was on hand Saturday night at Columbia Motorsports Park. They were there to watch a 100 lap Super Late Model race.
But more than that, they were present to honor the memory of a member of the N. Florida racing community. Cecil Williams was a well known fixture in Florida racing for many years, both on asphalt and dirt tracks. Cecil, along with his wife Earleen, could be found at a local race track nearly every weekend.
They were both involved as competitors, and more recently as track officials. Cecil’s most recent position was as pace car driver at Columbia Motorsports Park.
The race was held under chamber of commerce weather conditions, after being rained out previously. After all the practice runs were done, and Qualifying was over, it was showtime.
The Racers were lined up on the front straight for an autograph session with the large throng of fans, and the fans loved it. What was supposed to be a “brief” session, ended up running very long due to the large number of people trying to meet all the drivers.
One of the surprises and highlights of the evening was an original racecar driven by Cecil, that was found and resurrected, and driven onto the speedway. Cecil’s family was delighted to see the old car once again.
After the fans were cleared from the speedway, the top ten drivers drew cards from the hood of the old racecar to determine their inversion.
The race lined up with Ryan Seig and Blake Lehr on the front row, and when the green flag waved Seig powered into the lead. The fans were treated to a great race, with much passing and side by side racing. The lead was held by Seig, until Tim Russell wa able to work thru traffic and grab the front spot.
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Wayne Anderson was making a charge for the front, when his race ended with mechanical problems. Patrick Williams, Cecil’s son, ran in the lead pack all night, and challenged for the lead on more than one occasion.
Jeff Choquette, driving Dick Anderson’s car, had the fans on there feet. After pitting early with a flat tire, Choquette was charging thru the pack toward the front. Choquette had to pit once more to replace the radio in his racer, and once more restarted at the rear. Choquette raced like a man on a mission, passing on the bottom, or on the outside, not seeming to care which lane was open. It was a run that was reminiscent of Dick Anderson himself, in his hayday.
After the race, in the winners circle, Anderson and Choquette were ecstatic.
Anderson said he was very proud of Choquettes performance in his car, but even more happy to win “Cecil’s” race. “ Don’t forget why we’re here, to remember a good man and racer” Anderson told the crowd during the post race interview.
The festivities didn’t end with the race. During the afternoon, tickets were sold for a chance at some great prizes. An autographed Tony Stewart helmet was given away, as well as tickets to a NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Tickets to a Hooters Pro Cup race.
All in all, it was a great night of entertainment, a great night of racing, and a great way to Honor a friend of the Florida Racing Family. Cecil, we will miss you, but you won’t be forgotten.
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