Charlie Webster's long career at the Speedbowl began during the track's first season in 1951, when he won a Claiming Car feature on September 30th. In the late 1950's, he was the dominant driver in the Non-Ford division, winning 3 Track Championships driving the Simons Bros. #9 Excavator Special coupe in 1956, 1958 & 1959. He won 11 Non Ford features in both the 1958 & 1959 seasons. Webster's 41 career Non-Ford victories are the most in Speedbowl history.
In 1961, he began driving Fred Beaber's Checkerboard #716 Modified out of Westbrook, CT. He won 29 features and the 1966 Modified Championship driving for Beaber from 1961-1968 in the car he is arguably most remembered.
Then in 1969, he drove Dick Brooks' #65 Modified and battled Don Collins for the Championship most of the season before finishing 2nd in points at season's end. When Collins abruptly retired after the first race of 1970 driving the Simons Bros #9, Webster took over the ride and reunited with the Excavator Special team. He won his last two career features in the #9, his last coming on June 27, 1970. Webster too would retire before the season ended, only a few weeks after his last win. At the time of his retirement, only Don Collins had more than Webster's 77 feature wins and 4 Track Championships. His is now 6th all-time on the Speedbowl's career wins list.
Charlie passed away on December 9, 1995. Webster was recognized as one of the Speedbowl's 50 Favorite Drivers in 2000. His son Eric is a former Strictly Stock competitor and long-time track official.
CHARLIE WEBSTER PHOTO ALBUM
all photos by Shany Lorenzet unless credited otherwise
