NASCAR Wrecks - Can Lester Get Lucky At MIS?
Lester Hopes to Make the Field
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily
Bill Lester just wants to race.
Lester is currently the only full-time African-American driver in NASCAR’s top three series Currently in his fifth full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series, Lester drives Bill Davis Racing’s No. 22 Toyota. He’s currently 27th in the standings and will compete in Saturday’s Con-way Freight 200 at Michigan.
Earlier this season, Lester made history as the first African-American driver to qualify for a NASCAR Nextel Cup race since 1986. He finished 38th after qualifying 19th for the March 20 event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Lester is ready to do all over again as he’ll attempt to qualify for his second series race this weekend at Michigan.
“I am hoping we have as much success as we did in Atlanta,” Lester said. “My goal is to first make the field, then log as many laps as I can. I now know what to expect and know what I need to be fast. I am hoping we can build on our success from Atlanta.”
The last African-American driver to compete at Michigan was Willy T. Ribbs. Ribbs started 37th and finished 39th in the June 15, 1986 event at Michigan. Before Ribbs, Wendell Scott made five starts at Michigan from 1969 through 1971.
Though Lester has not made a Nextel Cup start at Michigan, he has been successful here in the Craftsman Truck Series. Since his first start at MIS in 2002, Lester has posted a pair of top-five qualifying efforts. He has an average finish of 15th, has never finished outside the top 18 and has completed all of the laps in the races in which he has competed
“I’ve always liked racing in Michigan and have been able to put together a couple of decent finishes in the past couple of years there in the Truck Series,” Lester said. “Our confidence level as far as being able to have a little bit better race then we did in Atlanta is pretty high.”
“It is home of the ‘Big Three’ manufacturers, and it would be terrific to put on a great show with our Toyota Tundra, “Lester said. “Michigan is a track where the draft comes into effect, and I love to draft. [Crew chief] Doug Wolcott and the guys on this No. 22 team are working overtime to bring great trucks to the track, and I am confident they will bring a great truck to Michigan.”
And while Lester is proud of his heritage, he wants to be known first and foremost as a racecar driver
“Hopefully, we got some of the hoopla out of the way during the Atlanta race, and this time around we can focus solely on the racing end of it. “Lester said. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity and all of the attention I was getting from the media and the fans and am glad everyone was so interested and excited about the weekend, but this time around, I hope it will be a little bit more of a normal type of a weekend for everyone involved.”
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily
Bill Lester just wants to race.
Lester is currently the only full-time African-American driver in NASCAR’s top three series Currently in his fifth full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series, Lester drives Bill Davis Racing’s No. 22 Toyota. He’s currently 27th in the standings and will compete in Saturday’s Con-way Freight 200 at Michigan.
Earlier this season, Lester made history as the first African-American driver to qualify for a NASCAR Nextel Cup race since 1986. He finished 38th after qualifying 19th for the March 20 event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Lester is ready to do all over again as he’ll attempt to qualify for his second series race this weekend at Michigan.
“I am hoping we have as much success as we did in Atlanta,” Lester said. “My goal is to first make the field, then log as many laps as I can. I now know what to expect and know what I need to be fast. I am hoping we can build on our success from Atlanta.”
The last African-American driver to compete at Michigan was Willy T. Ribbs. Ribbs started 37th and finished 39th in the June 15, 1986 event at Michigan. Before Ribbs, Wendell Scott made five starts at Michigan from 1969 through 1971.
Though Lester has not made a Nextel Cup start at Michigan, he has been successful here in the Craftsman Truck Series. Since his first start at MIS in 2002, Lester has posted a pair of top-five qualifying efforts. He has an average finish of 15th, has never finished outside the top 18 and has completed all of the laps in the races in which he has competed
“I’ve always liked racing in Michigan and have been able to put together a couple of decent finishes in the past couple of years there in the Truck Series,” Lester said. “Our confidence level as far as being able to have a little bit better race then we did in Atlanta is pretty high.”
“It is home of the ‘Big Three’ manufacturers, and it would be terrific to put on a great show with our Toyota Tundra, “Lester said. “Michigan is a track where the draft comes into effect, and I love to draft. [Crew chief] Doug Wolcott and the guys on this No. 22 team are working overtime to bring great trucks to the track, and I am confident they will bring a great truck to Michigan.”
And while Lester is proud of his heritage, he wants to be known first and foremost as a racecar driver
“Hopefully, we got some of the hoopla out of the way during the Atlanta race, and this time around we can focus solely on the racing end of it. “Lester said. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity and all of the attention I was getting from the media and the fans and am glad everyone was so interested and excited about the weekend, but this time around, I hope it will be a little bit more of a normal type of a weekend for everyone involved.”
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