Bill Lester is looking to put his name in the history books. Credit: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images

Qualifying run provides platform for Lester

The clichéd phrase is heard all-too often this time of year: Control your own destiny. But truly, a platform on which to enable effort, strategy and smarts determine fate is all any competitive entity -- regardless the genre -- could ask for.

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Bill Lester will have that opportunity Friday evening at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

After nearly two decades spent chasing the Cup Series dream on someone else's terms, the goal is nigh. As Lester straps into Bill Davis' No. 23 Dodge, thousands of unreciprocated proposals and tens of thousands of fruitless hours will be washed away.

His vision of that moment is vivid, as brilliant as the dawn of spring: He'll ease off the pit lane, out onto the high banks of NASCAR's fastest track, and two laps later, straight into history.

If -- "when" is more applicable, he says -- Lester makes the show, millions will be impacted.

Not since 1986 has an African-American qualified for a Cup Series event. Just five African-Americans have ever started a Cup Series race.

Ever, folks.

But diversity awareness wasn't a hot-button issue then. There is no hotter button now. NASCAR added another Cup Series date in Phoenix to further attract the Hispanic demographic. A Busch Series event was placed in Mexico City for the very same reason.

But an African-American in a Cup race? Drive for Diversity would finally shift to second gear.

	Inside the Numbers Bill Lester's NCTS stats Year Races W T5 T10 2000 1 0 0 0 2001 5 0 0 0 2002 22 0 0 0 2003 25 0 0 1 2004 25 0 0 1 2005 25 0 2 4 2006 2 0 0 0 Totals 105 0 2 6 Making historyLester will attempt to qualify for Cup race at Atlanta Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

"If our test at Kentucky Speedway last week was any indication, we'll do something that's historical, and that a lot of people can take a lot of pride in," Lester said Wednesday evening. "And hopefully it will be a catalyst for change in the sport of NASCAR.

"To really consider yourself America's sport, you have to be inclusive of color and gender, you have to be more reflective and representative of the people that this country has. So this would be a huge step in the right direction."

Regardless how well he does Friday, or in this season's other two planned Cup Series starts at Michigan and Fontana, or in his day job in the Craftsman Truck Series, Lester fights the stigma that opportunities afforded him are a result of his ethnicity.

That's downright ridiculous. He was knocking on doors and submitting proposals long before NASCAR began assisting minority and female drivers. He wasn't handed anything. He earned everything.

"Quite frankly, I don't have much time or inclination to respond to that," Lester said of the opinion that ethnicity played a role in his opportunity.

"Everybody's entitled to their opinion, and I'm not out there to try to challenge it or defend myself. The fact of the matter is that Bill Davis Racing, Championship Group -- my organization -- and Waste Management -- my sponsor -- believe in me.

"And my family and friends believe in me. And I believe wholeheartedly in myself. That's all I need to be concerned with."

Heard that. Lester wasn't born into NASCAR, doesn't have a readymade racing surname that hums like a Hemi. He wasn't even a racer until he was in his 20s. Meanwhile, at the outset of their careers some of the kids he currently competes with were guarding baby teeth against injury.

Kyle Busch wasn't born yet. Brian Vickers was teething.

LESTER TO QUALIFY Bill Lester will pilot the No. 23 Nextel Cup entry for Bill Davis Racing at Atlanta. He'll be the first black driver to attempt to make a Cup race in 20 years.  •   Complete story, click here

"This sport is extremely expensive to get involved in. You need to have relationships. I came from a totally different background, one that wasn't entrenched in motorsports, and the fact is I got a very late start in my career," Lester explained.

"Basically, all the odds were stacked up against me, so I've had to overcome a lot. I've put the disappointment and the rejection behind me."

A different background? Understatement.

Sharp as a tack, Lester graduated from Cal-Berkley in 1984 with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. He went to work at Hewlett-Packard as a project manager, racing SCCA and IMSA sports cars on the weekends.

He didn't break into NASCAR until 1999. He was 38 years old. His first full-time NASCAR season was 2002, racing for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. He indicated last year he'd like a shot in a Cup car. NASCAR's collective eyebrow rose, though briefly. The story fizzled, and Lester wondered if -- "when" -- his time would come.

Hello, time.

	Bill Lester has college degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. Credit: Autostock
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"Needless to say some people were listening -- I'm glad that's the case," Lester said. "I'm glad there's those that have believed in my talent and my skill.

"The time is now. I'm ready for it. Finally, I'm in a position where it's up to me. I'm very grateful for that, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to, essentially, be driving into history.

"This is something that's extremely unbelievable to me, in that it's finally coming together. I look forward to having my shot and succeeding at it."

Friday Night Lights, one of my favorite books, is founded on big-time Texas high school football. But its theme is as much about sociopolitical America as it is about athletic triumph and heartache.

Bill Lester's story is similar, one based in the competitive arena but encompassing so much more. He doesn't want this effort to be solely about race, rather the realization of dreams through undaunted focus and determination.

"I'm no different than anybody else," Lester said. "I wasn't born privileged. I wasn't born to do this, from the standpoint that I was given unique opportunities. That just didn't happen. I realized what I wanted to do and kept my nose to the grindstone and wouldn't let anybody tell me I couldn't do it.

"My story is about perseverance and persistence and overcoming obstacles. If I had thin skin, and if I didn't believe in myself and if I didn't know what my dream was, I'd have given up a long time ago. If you listen to what other people say, whatever the case is, you can easily be derailed.

"But if you know what you want, and have a solid plan, you can make things happen."

He has the utmost confidence it will happen Friday night. And if -- "when" -- he does, the AMS Friday night lights will illuminate a seminal moment in NASCAR.

"I know for a fact that a lot of people are watching," Lester said. "A lot of people are very interested, especially in the African-American contingent out there, the minority contingent that is really supportive of what I'm doing and very proud of what I'm doing.

"It's an amazing opportunity, and I have a responsibility not only to myself, but to everybody that's been watching me and supporting me and is proud of me. And I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I put in the best performance Friday night.

"Now it's a matter of not talking about it, but being about it. This is the culmination of a dream, and I'm very happy this day has arrived. It didn't happen for me overnight. I've been at this a long time. The fact is I'm getting there -- and I am there, now."