Bill Lester intends to return to NASCAR in Atlanta

Lester was putting a deal together for Atlanta Motor Speedway; He’s since picked up another sponsor

Bill Lester spent 15 years working for the Hewlett-Packard Company before deciding to take a career turn at 200mph. Lester joined the world of NASCAR, and joined a rare group of Black Americans to reach the NASCAR Cup Series level.

The driver spent 8 straight years in the NASCAR Truck Series between 2000-2007. He ran full time in the division in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Lester collected two top-5s in his career, both coming in 2005. He’s also tallied seven top-10s.

In 2006, the driver ran two races in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, his last year of competition came in 2007 via the NASCAR Truck Series. Since, he’s worked with the NASCAR National Motorsports Appeals Panel.

Now, at age 60 Lester is looking to return…

Bill Lester announces intent to return to NASCAR Truck Series

“I’m a racing fan and a racing junkie in general,” Bill Lester said via Race Hub.

“Even though I’m not actually doing it, behind the whee, I’m watching it all the time. Still watching it, still enjoying it. I’m still seeing what everybody is doing in the NASCAR garage.”

“Just excited by a lot of the changes that I see in NASCAR. In fact, this is a good opportunity for me to announce my intent to return to the track.”

NASCAR has made a lot of changes from a social and competition standpoint. Last year, the company banned the Confederate flag at all tracks and properties. At the same time, rules were removed to allow for kneeling during the National Anthem.

Since NASCAR made that move, Lester has stated that he wanted the Confederate flag removed back in his days with the sport. In 2020 he told NPR, “The country was not ready to listen at that time.”

Related: Bubba Wallace comments on kneeling and the Confederate flag at NASCAR races

NASCAR has made it very clear they are a place for anyone to come enjoy a race. The bold moves have attracted Michael Jordan into becoming a team owner in the sport as well as rapper Pitbull.

Related: Michael Jordan entering NASCAR spawned from a joke

Bill Lester and Bubba Wallace - Atlanta Motor Speedway
Bill Lester and Bubba Wallace – Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2019

Lester has some sponsors confirmed for Atlanta Motor Speedway

Lester continued, “I’ve been able to get some support from the Atlanta area Ford dealers and Tommy’s Express Car Wash to come back to Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20th.”

“We have pretty much put everything together. But, strangely enough, one of my title sponsors has not quite committed yet. This might be a great opportunity for somebody out there to take the hood of a Camping World Truck.”

It’s been 14 years since Lester raced at the NASCAR level. In that time, he’s raised a family who haven’t seen their father race.

“My boys are just shy of 15 and 18 now. They never really got to see Dad race when I was doing it in the 2000’s cause they were so young. My wife has given the approval which is really the way I’m able to do this because if she turned her head on it, then it wouldn’t have happened.”

“Looking forward to getting behind the wheel again. Seeing if it’s like riding a bike. It’s interesting with the way that NASCAR doesn’t have practice and qualifying, they just line them up and race.”

Lester concluded, “I’m hopeful and optimistic that I’m going to have a great experience.”

Camping World announces plans to sponsor the truck

Note that Lester stated that he ‘intended’ to return. The sponsorship he detailed was not finalized. Additionally, he was still looking for a company to co-sponsor the machine with a logo on the hood.

Marcus Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World. He’s been sponsoring trucks left and right recently. He asked all truck teams without sponsors to reach out to him on twitter.

Within a day of Lester’s announcement, Marcus Lemonis replied to Lester’s comments with, “I’m in.”

That sounds like it will confirm the deal for Lester. He’s likely to officially return to the sport with Camping World on the hood of his truck.

The deal still remains unconfirmed. However, the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is only a few weeks away.

Bill Lester talks NASCAR return
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Bill Lester | Camping World | Tommy’s Express Car Wash | Atlanta Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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