Lester tries to land spot in Atlanta

If successful he would be the first black driver in 20 years to do so.
ATLANTA (AP) -- Bill Lester couldn't stand sitting behind a desk.
He walked away from a six-figure job to pursue his dream of being a race car driver, not even thinking about the chance to leave his mark on history.
"I'm a racer," Lester said. "But now I realize that I have a unique opportunity and responsibility to make a change."
Friday Lester will attempt to become the first black driver in nearly 20 years to qualify for a race in NASCAR's top series. He's a long shot to make the 43-car field for the Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but hopes that his presence will inspire others to follow.
"There are a lot of black people out there who are closet NASCAR fans," Lester said. "They feel uncomfortable about coming to the racetrack because it's hard to identify with anyone there. I'm in a position to change that."
Last black to compete
Willy T. Ribbs was the last black driver to compete in a Cup race, qualifying for three events in 1986. His best finish was 29th.
NASCAR's most successful black driver was Wendell Scott, whose 13-year career spanned 495 races and a landmark victory in 1964. A few years after he retired, Richard Pryor starred in the movie "Greased Lightning," largely based on Scott's battle for acceptance in the white-dominated sport.
Lester, a regular in NASCAR's truck series since 2002, hasn't been as successful as Scott. He's managed to finish in the top five twice and been on the pole three times in the truck series, but has yet to make it to the winner's circle. At 45, he's probably too old to be considered for a regular ride in Nextel Cup.
Encouraged Lester
Atlanta Motor Speedway president Ed Clark encouraged Lester to enter qualifying for this week's Nextel Cup race, not far from the driver's home in suburban Atlanta.
Clark hasn't given up on the idea of Lester earning a regular spot on the Nextel Cup circuit.
"He is the kind of guy that represents NASCAR well," Clark said. "This isn't about a one-time race. He's going to have a chance to do this six or more times this year and maybe lead into a full-time opportunity next year."
Anthony Martin, a friend of Ribbs, said it's not enough for a black driver to compete in Nextel Cup. Pointing to the Williams sisters in tennis and Tiger Woods in golf, he said the best way to break through racial stereotypes is to win races.
It was initially tough for Lester and his wife, Cheryl, when he made the career change in 1987. For three years, they got by on smart investments, savings -- and hope.
Lester struggled through 14 years of searching for a sponsor. In 1999, he finally raced in his first NASCAR event, a Busch Series event in which he moved into the top 10 before a crash left him with a 21st-place finish. In 2002, Lester got his big break -- a regular ride in the truck series. He finished 17th in the standings his first season, and moved up to 14th the next year.
Waste Management signed on as Lester's sponsor, giving him much-needed financial support and a better chance of producing his first win. He hopes to race until he's at least 50.
"Bill said once that he doesn't look like the typical NASCAR driver," said David Steiner, the company's CEO. "But in the future, there will be many who will look like Bill and many others with different colors and faces. It'll be just racers."
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