Bill Lester’s bid to become the first African-American driver to compete in NASCAR’s top series since 1986 will be delayed until next season. Mike Brown, general manager for Bill Davis Racing, had said the team hoped to have Lester compete in select races this season, depending on sponsorship. Brown said Friday at Kansas Speedway that Lester’s debut likely will take place early next year. It could happen at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track Bill Davis Racing excels. “We do have some plans for Lester in ’06,” Brown said. “Right now, it’s hard to say what it will be, one or two races or as many as 10. It just hasn’t really come together as fast as we hoped. The key is we want to do it right. Another six months is not going to make a huge difference to try to do it the right way.” The 44-year-old Lester competes in the Craftsman Truck series for Bill Davis Racing. He ranks 18th in the points. No African-American has competed in the Cup series since Willy T. Ribbs. He drove in three races in 1986.(Roanoke Times)(10-8-2005)
