NASCAR Cup

Lester enjoys Michigan attention

BILL LESTER ENJOYS MICHIGAN ATTENTION Driver for the ...

Edited: Jun 17, 2006, 12:36 AM

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BILL LESTER ENJOYS MICHIGAN ATTENTION

Driver for the #23 Waste Management Bill Davis Racing team has many family ties in the area

Brooklyn, Michigan, June 12, 2006 -- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Bill Lester is looking forward to attempting his second NASCAR Nextel Cup start in this weekend's 3M Performance 400 presented by Post-it Picture Paper at Michigan International Speedway. Piloting the No. 23 Waste Management Nextel Cup entry for Bill Davis Racing, Lester became the first black driver to compete in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race in 20 years when he qualified for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March in his first appearance behind the wheel of a Nextel Cup racecar.

This weekend, along with the pressure of qualifying and racing in both the Craftsman Truck and Nextel Cup series, and the numerous demands for media interviews and appearances, Lester will have the additional attention of a large contingent of family and friends following his every move. Many of Bill's immediate family members reside in Michigan, and they all want to see Bill succeed on Sunday.

"I really enjoy racing in Michigan because of all the family attention," commented Lester. "For some it might be a distraction, but in my case it is nice to know my parents, wife, kids and sibling, not to mention dozens of family members and friends, are sitting in the stands cheering me on. In many respects, I feel like Michigan is a "home track" for me, particularly since not only do I have family here, but so does my wife, Cheryl. In fact, my brother-in-law is the basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University. They are all great in understanding that I cannot come over to visit or hang with them at the track during race weekend, but you know they are there supporting you. Like other drivers who do not come from a racing background, many of my immediate family had never been to a racetrack until I started racing in NASCAR a few years ago. Now they are all fans ... not only of my career but of the sport. And, as far as I know anyway, I am still their favorite NASCAR driver!"

A fitness fanatic, Lester will need all the ironman stamina he can muster this weekend, as he will be racing in both the Craftsman Truck and NEXTEL Cup races.

"I have spent most of my adult life preparing for this moment," added Lester. "Two qualifying runs and two races over the weekend are not going to be an issue, I can promise you that. I'm so excited, I could probably run all three races at Michigan Speedway this weekend, and then pitch in and help the Waste Management crew straighten the place out afterwards! To compete in the Atlanta race was a dream come true. Now we want to build on that experience, and focus on getting another race distance under my belt and giving the #23 Waste Management team a strong finish. For my family and friends to be here and be able to be a part of the weekend is terrific. Waste Management will have a large group of my 'adopted family' on hand too, so it will be quite a turnout."

-bdr

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