Oakland Native Attempts to Qualify for NASCAR Cup Race

Oakland native and Skyline High School graduate Bill Lester will become
the first African-American driver in 20 years to attempt to qualify for
a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.


Lester, a regular on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bill Davis
Racing, will pilot the No. 23 Waste Management car in qualifying on
Friday. 


Lester was also the first African-American to compete in a Busch Series
event (1999), and the first to win a pole for a modern-era NASCAR race
at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte (2003).


 

"To say I am proud and honored to have this company behind me is an
understatement," he said. "Their commitment to diversity, alone, is
laudable, but the fact that they really believe in me and support me so
thoroughly is really meaningful."

 

Lester will pull double-duty this weekend, competing in the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series event on Friday night. The Golden Corral 500
NASCAR feature takes place on Sunday.