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NASCAR history on the line for Lester at AtlantaBy Nate Ryan, USA TODAYRacing never has been about race for Bill Lester."I've always said I don't consider myself, nor do I want to be considered, a black race car driver," he said. "I want to be a race car driver who happens to be black."
USA TODAY Lester He concedes, though, the focus on him Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be much more about history than horsepower. Lester will attempt to qualify for Sunday's Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 in a Bill Davis Racing car sponsored by Waste Management.
At stake is a chance to become the first African-American in NASCAR's premier series since Willy T. Ribbs finished 37th at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 1986. Despite huge growth in attendance and TV ratings the last two decades, NASCAR has lagged in attracting minority fans and competitors.
Lester believes he could help change that.
"I've been given a very significant opportunity to be a catalyst for change," Lester said. "If NASCAR wants to be America's sport, it has to be more inclusive of color and more reflective of the shade of people across the country. For me to be front and center on the greatest stage NASCAR has will be significant. There are a lot of people of color who don't follow this sport because there's nobody they can identify with."
Waste Management will sponsor him in Cup races at Michigan on June 18 and at California Speedway on Sept. 3. Lester said there's an option for more races. He will be one of an expected 17 drivers vying for eight unprotected spots in the 43-car field at Atlanta.