View source for Bill Lester

{{short description|American racing driver}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox NASCAR driver
| name               = Bill Lester
| image              = Bill Lester.jpg
| caption            = Lester in 2008
| birth_name         = William Alexander Lester III
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1961|02|06}}
| birth_place        = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| achievements       = First African-American to win a [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] race ([[Virginia International Raceway]], 2011, GT Class)
| awards             = 
| Total_Cup_Races    = 2
| Years_In_Cup       = 1
| Cup_Car_Team       = 
| Prev_Cup_Pos       = 
| Previous_Year      = 
| Best_Cup_Pos       = 68th ([[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]])
| First_Cup_Race     = [[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]] [[Golden Corral 500]] ([[Atlanta Motor Speedway|Atlanta]])
| Last_Cup_Race      = [[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]] [[3M Performance 400]] ([[Michigan International Speedway|Michigan]])
| First_Cup_Win      =
| Last_Cup_Win       =
| Cup_Wins           = 0
| Cup_Top_Tens       = 0
| Cup_Poles          = 0
| Total_Busch_Races  = 1
| Years_In_Busch     = 1
| Busch_Car_Team     = 
| Prev_Busch_Pos     = 
| Prev_Busch_Year    = 
| Best_Busch_Pos     = 111th ([[1999 NASCAR Busch Series|1999]])
| First_Busch_Race   = [[1999 NASCAR Busch Series|1999]] [[Lysol 200]] ([[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]])
| Last_Busch_Race    = 
| First_Busch_Win    = 
| Last_Busch_Win     =
| Busch_Wins         = 0
| Busch_Top_Tens     = 0
| Busch_Poles        = 0
| Total_Truck_Races  = 143
| Years_In_Truck     = 9
| Truck_Car_Team     = 
| Prev_Truck_Pos     = 89th
| Prev_Truck_Year    = 2021
| Best_Truck_Pos     = 13th ([[2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2003]])
| First_Truck_Race   = [[2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2000]] [[Line-X 225]] ([[Portland International Raceway|Portland]])
| Last_Truck_Race    = [[2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series|2021]] [[2021 Fr8Auctions 200|Fr8Auctions 200]] ([[Atlanta Motor Speedway|Atlanta]])
| First_Truck_Win    = 
| Last_Truck_Win     = 
| Truck_Wins         = 0
| Truck_Top_Tens     = 7
| Truck_Poles        = 3
| module             =
{{Infobox racing driver|embed=yes
| last series       = [[Rolex Sports Car Series]]
| years active      = 1998–2001, 2007–2012
| current team      = 
| car number        = 
| former teams      = 
| teams             =
| starts            = 52 
| wins              = 1
| poles             = 2
| fastest laps      = 
| best finish       = 3rd
| year              = 2011
| prev series       = 
| prev series years = 
| titles            = 
| title years       = 
| awards            = 
| award years       = 
| updated           = December 30, 2021
}}
}}
'''William Alexander Lester III''' (born February 6, 1961) is an American semi-retired professional racing driver. He last competed part-time in the [[NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]], driving the No. 17 [[Ford F-150]] for [[David Gilliland Racing]]. Lester previously competed full-time in the Truck Series from [[2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2002]] to midway through [[2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2007]]. Lester was the NASCAR's only full-time [[African-American]] driver during that time. After that, he moved to [[sports car racing]], competing in the [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] from 2007 to 2012. Lester had also competed part-time in the same series from 1998 to 2001.

He also made two [[NASCAR Cup Series]] starts in [[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]] and one [[Busch Series]] (now Xfinity) start in [[1999 NASCAR Busch Series|1999]].

Since his retirement from driving, Lester has worked as a member of the NASCAR National Motorsports Appeals Panel.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Glendenning |url=https://racer.com/2020/09/24/nascar-appeals-panel-upholds-wallace-penalty/ |title=NASCAR appeals panel upholds Wallace penalty |website=[[Racer (magazine)|RACER]] |date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

==Racing career==
===Early career===
He began racing in the road course circuits, running in the [[SCCA]] and [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]] series. He made his IMSA debut in 1990 at [[Sears Point International Raceway]], qualifying ninth and finishing 1st in a [[Chevrolet Camaro]]. He also picked up a victory that year in an endurance race at [[Sears Point International Raceway|Sears Point]]. In 1990, he began running the SCCA, running an unsponsored [[Oldsmobile Cutlass]] for [[Rocketsports]] at [[Portland International Raceway|Portland]], and one race for [[Tom Gloy]] at [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|Mid-Ohio]]. He did not race professionally again until 1996, running SCCA events at [[Watkins Glen International Raceway|Watkins Glen]], [[Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin]], Sears Point, and [[Reno, Nevada]]. He competed in the [[24 Hours of Daytona]] in 1998 and 1999, finishing fifth and tenth, respectively.

===NASCAR===
In [[1999 NASCAR Busch Series|1999]], he became the first African-American to run a [[Busch Series]] race, when he ran at Watkins Glen in the No. 8 [[Dura Lube]] [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] owned by [[Bobby Hillin Jr.]] He started 24th and ran near a top-ten most of the day before an accident relegated him back to 21st. The next season, he made his Craftsman Truck debut at Portland, starting 31st and finishing 24th in the No. 23 [[Red Line Oil]] truck owned by [[Team 23 Racing]]. He also competed against [[Bobby Norfleet]] in that race, marking the only time in NASCAR two African-Americans have competed in the same race. He ran five races the next season in the No. 4 for [[Bobby Hamilton Racing]], his best finish an eighteenth at [[Phoenix International Raceway]].

In [[2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2002]], he ran in the Craftsman Truck series full-time for Hamilton. While he did not finish in the top-ten, he had sixteen finishes between 11th-18th, leading to a seventeenth-place points finish and runner-up to [[Brendan Gaughan]] for [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year]]. The next season, he grabbed his first career pole at [[Lowe's Motor Speedway]] and had a tenth-place run at [[Kansas Speedway]], garnering a 14th-place finish in the championship standings.

He switched over to [[Bill Davis Racing]] in [[2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2004]]. He had a best finish of tenth and finished 22nd in points. In [[2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2005]], he won two consecutive poles, and had his first top-five finishes. Lester raced in his first Nextel Cup race in the [[Golden Corral 500]] at [[Atlanta Motor Speedway]], driving the No. 23 [[Waste Management (company)|Waste Management]] [[Dodge Charger (LX)|Dodge Charger]] for Davis in [[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]]. The race was supposed to be run on March 19, but was postponed for a day due to rain. He qualified 19th, becoming the first African-American to make a Cup race since [[1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series|1986]], and the sixth in series history. He finished 38th, six laps down. He ran  another race that season at Michigan, finishing 32nd. He later DNQed at [[Auto Club Speedway|California]] after spinning in qualifying.

After failing to finish in the top-ten in [[2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2006]], Lester departed Davis to drive the No. 15 [[Billy Ballew Motorsports]] Chevy. His best finish was an eighth at Kentucky, when he stepped out of the truck due to sponsor problems. After he was unable to find another ride in NASCAR, he left in 2008 to return to sports car racing.

On February 26, 2021, Lester announced on ''[[NASCAR Race Hub]]'' that he would be coming out of retirement to compete in the Truck Series race at his home track of Atlanta, which was also the same track where he made his Cup Series debut at in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |first=Joseph |last=Srigley |url=https://tobychristie.com/2021/02/26/bill-lester-announces-intentions-to-return-to-nascar-camping-world-truck-series-at-atlanta/ |title=Bill Lester Announces Intentions to Return to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Atlanta |website=Christmastime |date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> The team was revealed as [[David Gilliland Racing]] on March 12, with local Ford dealerships and [[Camping World]] as his sponsors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://davidgillilandracing.com/f/bill-lester-returns-to-the-ncwts-at-atlanta-motor-speedway|title=Bill Lester Returns to the NCWTS at Atlanta Motor Speedway|work=[[David Gilliland Racing]]|date=March 12, 2021|access-date=March 12, 2021|archive-date=March 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312220816/https://davidgillilandracing.com/f/bill-lester-returns-to-the-ncwts-at-atlanta-motor-speedway|url-status=dead}}</ref> He finished 36th.

===Return to sports cars===
[[File:GT88 Bill Lester Jordan Taylor GT49 2011 Road America.jpg|thumb|left|2011 Rolex Sports Car Series GT car]]
In 2008, Lester drove the No. 3 Riley [[Daytona Prototype]] for [[Southard Motorsports]] in the [[Grand-Am]] [[Rolex Sports Car Series]], partnering with [[Shane Lewis (racing driver)|Shane Lewis]]. He moved to Orbit Racing for 2009, finishing 3rd at the summer Daytona race. The next year, Lester moved to a new team in [[Starworks Motorsport]] driving the No. 7 BMW Riley for the full season, finishing 17th in points.

For 2011, Lester moved to the GT category with [[Autohaus Motorsports]] and their [[Chevrolet Camaro]] team. On May 14, 2011, Lester made sports car history by becoming the first African-American driver to win in any Grand-Am division. Fittingly, Lester won at the [[Virginia International Raceway]], located close to the home of NASCAR's first African-American winner, [[Wendell Scott]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Race-Series/Grand-Am/News/Articles/2011/05/Action-Express-Takes-Home-Bounty.aspx |title=Action Express Takes Home $25,000 Bounty for Virginia International Raceway Win |publisher=MotorRacingNetwork.com |date=2013-09-28 |access-date=2013-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614090542/http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Race-Series/Grand-Am/News/Articles/2011/05/Action-Express-Takes-Home-Bounty.aspx |archive-date=2012-06-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Lester's father is [[William A. Lester]]. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-03-26-0603260268-story.html | title=Love of racing is in his blood | website=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=26 March 2006 }}</ref>

In 1984, he earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[electrical engineering and computer science|EECS]] from the [[University of California, Berkeley]].<ref>[https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/william-alexander-lester-iii Biography of William Alexander Lester III], ''TheHistorymakers.org'', March 10, 2018, Retrieved June 24, 2020</ref> Fresh out of college, he worked at [[Hewlett-Packard]] for 15 years before deciding to focus full-time on auto racing.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882678385/former-nascar-driver-discusses-competing-as-a-black-man Former NASCAR Driver Discusses Competing as a Black Man], ''[[NPR Morning Edition]]'', June 24, 2020, Retrieved June 24, 2020</ref>

Lester lives in [[Windermere, Florida]] with his wife Cheryl, and their sons William Alexander IV (Alex) and Austin Richard.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

He published an autobiography, ''Winning in Reverse'', in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |first=Marshall |last=Pruett |url=https://racer.com/2021/02/02/catching-up-with-bill-lester/ |title=Catching Up With: Bill Lester |website=[[Racer (magazine)|RACER]] |date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Motorsports career results==
===NASCAR===
([[Template:NASCAR driver results legend|key]]) (<span style="font-size:85%">'''Bold'''&nbsp;– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. ''Italics''&nbsp;– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *&nbsp;– Most laps led.</span>)

====Nextel Cup Series====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
|-
!colspan=45| [[NASCAR Nextel Cup Series]] results
|-
! Year
! Team
! No.
! Make
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! 24
! 25
! 26
! 27
! 28
! 29
! 30
! 31
! 32
! 33
! 34
! 35
! 36
! {{Tooltip|NNCC|NASCAR Nextel Cup classification}}
! Pts
! Ref
|-
! [[2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2006]]
! [[Bill Davis Racing]]
! 23
! [[Dodge]]
| [[2006 Daytona 500|DAY]]
| [[2006 Auto Club 500|CAL]]
| [[2006 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400|LVS]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[2006 Golden Corral 500|ATL]]<br>{{small|38}}
| [[2006 Food City 500|BRI]]
| [[2006 DirecTV 500|MAR]]
| [[2006 Samsung/Radio Shack 500|TEX]]
| [[2006 Subway Fresh 500|PHO]]
| [[2006 Aaron's 499|TAL]]
| [[2006 Crown Royal 400|RCH]]
| [[2006 Dodge Charger 500|DAR]]
| [[2006 Coca-Cola 600|CLT]]
| [[Neighborhood Excellence 400 presented by Bank of America|DOV]]
| [[Pocono Organics CBD 325|POC]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[3M Performance 400|MCH]]<br>{{small|32}}
| [[Dodge/Save Mart 350|SON]]
| [[2006 Pepsi 400|DAY]]
| [[2006 USG Sheetrock 400|CHI]]
| [[Lenox Industrial Tools 300|NHA]]
| [[Pennsylvania 500|POC]]
| [[2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard|IND]]
| [[AMD at The Glen|GLN]]
| [[GFS Marketplace 400|MCH]]
| [[Sharpie 500|BRI]]
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| [[2006 Sony HD 500|CAL]]<br>{{small|DNQ}}
| [[Cook Out 400 (Richmond)|RCH]]
| [[Sylvania 300|NHA]]
| [[Dover 400|DOV]]
| [[Banquet 400|KAN]]
| [[2006 UAW-Ford 500|TAL]]
| [[2006 Bank of America 500|CLT]]
| [[2006 Subway 500|MAR]]
| [[Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500|ATL]]
| [[2006 Dickies 500|TEX]]
| [[2006 Checker Auto Parts 500|PHO]]
| [[2006 Ford 400|HOM]]
! 68th
! 67
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2006/W|title=Bill Lester – 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|}

====Busch Series====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
!colspan=42| [[NASCAR Busch Series]] results
|-
! Year
! Team
! No.
! Make
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! 24
! 25
! 26
! 27
! 28
! 29
! 30
! 31
! 32
! {{Tooltip|NBSC|NASCAR Busch Series classification}}
! Pts
! Ref
|-
! [[1999 NASCAR Busch Series|1999]]
! [[Robert Hayes Racing]]
! 8
! [[Chevrolet|Chevy]]
| [[NAPA Auto Parts 300|DAY]]
| [[Alltel 200|CAR]]
| [[Sam's Town 300|LVS]]
| [[Yellow Freight 300|ATL]]
| [[Diamond Hill Plywood 200|DAR]]
| [[Coca-Cola 300 (Texas)|TEX]]
| [[BellSouth Mobility 320|NSV]]
| [[Moore's Snacks 250|BRI]]
| [[Touchstone Energy 300|TAL]]
| [[Auto Club 300|CAL]]
| [[Busch 200 (New Hampshire)|NHA]]
| [[Hardee's 250|RCH]]
| [[First Union 200|NZH]]
| [[Carquest Auto Parts 300|CLT]]
| [[MBNA Platinum 200|DOV]]
| [[Textilease/Medique 300|SBO]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Lysol 200|GLN]]<br>{{small|21}}
| [[DieHard 250|MLW]]
| [[Myrtle Beach 250|MYB]]
| [[NAPA Autocare 250|PPR]]
| [[Carquest Auto Parts 250|GTY]]
| [[Kroger 200 (Nationwide)|IRP]]
| [[NAPA 200 (Michigan)|MCH]]
| [[Food City 250|BRI]]
| [[Dura Lube 200|DAR]]
| [[Autolite Platinum 250|RCH]]
| [[MBNA Gold 200|DOV]]
| [[All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300|CLT]]
| [[Kmart 200|CAR]]
| [[Sam's Town 250|MEM]]
| [[Outback Steakhouse 200|PHO]]
| [[HotWheels.com 300|HOM]]
! 111th
! 100
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/1999/B|title=Bill Lester – 1999 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|}

====Camping World Truck Series====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
|-
! colspan=45| [[NASCAR Camping World Truck Series]] results
|-
! Year
! Team
! No.
! Make
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! 24
! 25
! {{Tooltip|NCWTC|NASCAR Camping World Truck classification}}
! Pts
! Ref
|-
! [[2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2000]]
! [[Team 23 Racing]]
! 23
! [[Chevrolet|Chevy]]
| [[2000 Daytona 250|DAY]]
| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 400|HOM]]
| [[Chevy Trucks NASCAR 150|PHO]]
| [[Dodge California 250|MMR]]
| [[NAPA 250|MAR]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Line-X 225|PIR]]<br>{{small|24}}
| [[Ram Tough 200|GTY]]
| [[Quaker State 200|MEM]]
| [[Grainger.com 200|PPR]]
| [[Sears 200 (Evergreen)|EVG]]
| [[Pronto Auto Parts 400K|TEX]]
| [[Kroger 225 (Kentucky Speedway)|KEN]]
| [[Bully Hill Vineyards 150|GLN]]
| [[Sears DieHard 200|MLW]]
| [[thatlook.com 200|NHA]]
| [[2000 Chevy Silverado 200|NZH]]
| [[Michigan 200|MCH]]
| [[Power Stroke 200|IRP]]
| [[Federated Auto Parts 200|NSV]]
| [[Sears Craftsman 175|CIC]]
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| [[Kroger 200 (Richmond)|RCH]]<br>{{small|DNQ}}
| [[MBNA E-Commerce 200|DOV]]
| [[O'Reilly 400|TEX]]
| [[Motorola 200|CAL]]
|
! 86th
! 122
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2000/C|title=Bill Lester – 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2001]]
! rowspan=3| [[Bobby Hamilton Racing]]
! 4
! rowspan=3| [[Dodge]]
| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 250|DAY]]
| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 400|HOM]]
| [[OSH 250|MMR]]
| [[Advance Auto Parts 250|MAR]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Ram Tough 200|GTY]]<br>{{small|36}}
| [[Darlington 200|DAR]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Jelly Belly 200|PPR]]<br>{{small|20}}
| [[MBNA E-Commerce 200|DOV]]
| [[O'Reilly 400K|TEX]]
| [[Memphis 200|MEM]]
| [[GNC Live Well 200 (Milwaukee)|MLW]]
| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]
| [[Kroger 225 (Kentucky Speedway)|KEN]]
| [[New England 200 (Truck Series)|NHA]]
| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Federated Auto Parts 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|30}}
| [[Sears Craftsman 175|CIC]]
| [[2001 Chevy Silverado 200|NZH]]
| [[Kroger 200 (Richmond)|RCH]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[NetZero 250 presented by John Boy & Billy|SBO]]<br>{{small|32}}
| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]
| [[Orleans 350|LVS]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chevy Silverado 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|18}}
| [[Auto Club 200|CAL]]
|  
! 59th
! 304
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2001/C|title=Bill Lester – 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2002]]
! rowspan=2| 8
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Craftsman Anniversary 200|DAR]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Advance Auto Parts 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|25}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200|GTY]]<br>{{small|17}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Rocky Mountain 200|PPR]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[MBNA America 200|DOV]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 400K|TEX]]<br>{{small|11}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|17}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[GNC Live Well 200 (Milwaukee)|MLW]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]<br>{{small|29}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Kroger 225 (Kentucky Speedway)|KEN]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[New England 200 (Truck Series)|NHA]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Michigan 200|MCH]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Federated Auto Parts 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Virginia Is For Lovers 200|RCH]]<br>{{small|36}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[John Boy & Billy's Hardee's 250|SBO]]<br>{{small|17}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Las Vegas 350|LVS]]<br>{{small|17}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[American Racing Wheels 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chevy Silverado 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Ford 200|HOM]]<br>{{small|18}}
| colspan=3|
! 17th
! 2320
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2002/C|title=Bill Lester – 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2003]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Craftsman 200 (Darlington)|DAR]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Lucas Oil 250|MMR]]<br>{{small|13}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Advance Auto Parts 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|19}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| '''[[Hardee's 200 (Charlotte)|CLT]]'''<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[MBNA Armed Forces Family 200|DOV]]<br>{{small|11}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 400K|TEX]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|26}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[GNC 200|MLW]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]<br>{{small|10}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Built Ford Tough 225|KEN]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200|GTW]]<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sears 200 (Michigan)|MCH]]<br>{{small|11}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Federated Auto Parts 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline Maxlife|BRI]]<br>{{small|19}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Virginia Is For Lovers 200|RCH]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[New Hampshire 200|NHA]]<br>{{small|13}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[American Racing Wheels 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Las Vegas 350|LVS]]<br>{{small|20}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[John Boy & Billy 250|SBO]]<br>{{small|23}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Advance Auto Parts 200|MAR]]<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chevy Silverado 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|20}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Ford 200|HOM]]<br>{{small|18}}
! 14th
! 2712
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2003/C|title=Bill Lester – 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2004]]
! rowspan=3| [[Bill Davis Racing]]
! rowspan=3| 22
! rowspan=3| [[Toyota]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 (spring)|ATL]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Kroger 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|17}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[UAW/GM Ohio 250|MFD]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Infineon 200|CLT]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[MBNA America 200|DOV]]<br>{{small|25}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 400K|TEX]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|23}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Black Cat Fireworks 200|MLW]]<br>{{small|34}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Built Ford Tough 225|KEN]]<br>{{small|29}}
| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200|GTW]]<br>{{small|10}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Line-X 200|MCH]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|31}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Toyota Tundra 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|31}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Bristol)|BRI]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Kroger 200 (Richmond)|RCH]]<br>{{small|29}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Sylvania 200|NHA]]<br>{{small|27}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Las Vegas 350|LVS]]<br>{{small|24}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[American Racing Wheels 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Kroger 200 (Martinsville)|MAR]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chevy Silverado 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Darlington 200|DAR]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Ford 200|HOM]]<br>{{small|24}}
! 22nd
! 2400
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2004/C|title=Bill Lester – 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2005]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Florida Dodge Dealers 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|29}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[American Racing Wheels 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[World Financial Group 200|ATL]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Kroger 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|26}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Dodge Ram Tough 200|GTY]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[UAW/GM Ohio 250|MFD]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Quaker Steak and Lube 200|CLT]]<br>{{small|6}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[MBNA RacePoints 200 (Truck Series)|DOV]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Chex 400K|TEX]]<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Paramount Health Insurance 200|MCH]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200|MLW]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| '''[[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]'''<br>{{small|5}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| '''[[Built Ford Tough 225|KEN]]'''<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|35}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Toyota Tundra 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|7}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline Maxlife|BRI]]<br>{{small|25}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Cheerios Betty Crocker 200|RCH]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Sylvania 200|NHA]]<br>{{small|25}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Las Vegas 350|LVS]]<br>{{small|32}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Kroger 200 (Martinsville)|MAR]]<br>{{small|32}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 (fall)|ATL]]<br>{{small|19}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]<br>{{small|11}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Chevy Silverado 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Ford 200|HOM]]<br>{{small|5}}
! 17th
! 2672
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2005/C|title=Bill Lester – 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2006]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[GM Flex Fuel 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|35}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Racetickets.com 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[John Deere 200|ATL]]<br>{{small|29}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Kroger 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|24}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200|GTY]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| [[Quaker Steak and Lube 200|CLT]]<br>{{small|DNQ}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[City of Mansfield 250|MFD]]<br>{{small|24}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[AAA Insurance 200 (Dover)|DOV]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Sam's Town 400|TEX]]<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Michigan International Speedway|MCH]]<br>{{small|33}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200|MLW]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]<br>{{small|23}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Built Ford Tough 225|KEN]]<br>{{small|28}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|25}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|14}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Toyota Tundra 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 (Bristol)|BRI]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[New Hampshire 200|NHA]]<br>{{small|35}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Smith's Las Vegas 350|LVS]]<br>{{small|19}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[John Deere 250|TAL]]<br>{{small|31}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Kroger 200 (Martinsville)|MAR]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 (fall)|ATL]]<br>{{small|22}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Casino Arizona 150|PHO]]<br>{{small|20}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Ford 200|HOM]]<br>{{small|11}}
! 20th
! 2252
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2006/C|title=Bill Lester – 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|2007]]
! [[Billy Ballew Motorsports]]
! 15
! [[Chevrolet|Chevy]] 
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chevy Silverado HD 250|DAY]]<br>{{small|11}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[San Bernardino County 200|CAL]]<br>{{small|20}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[American Commercial Lines 200|ATL]]<br>{{small|30}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Kroger 250|MAR]]<br>{{small|36}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 250|KAN]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Quaker Steak and Lube 200|CLT]]<br>{{small|19}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Ohio 250|MFD]]<br>{{small|21}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[AAA Insurance 200 (Dover)|DOV]]<br>{{small|35}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sam's Town 400|TEX]]<br>{{small|18}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Michigan 200|MCH]]<br>{{small|15}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200|MLW]]<br>{{small|24}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)|MEM]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Built Ford Tough 225|KEN]]<br>{{small|8}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Power Stroke Diesel 200|IRP]]<br>{{small|16}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Toyota Tundra 200|NSH]]<br>{{small|20}}
| [[O'Reilly 200 (Bristol)|BRI]]
| [[Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200|GTW]]
| [[New Hampshire 200|NHA]]
| [[Smith's Las Vegas 350|LVS]]
| [[Mountain Dew 250|TAL]]
| [[Kroger 200 (Martinsville)|MAR]]
| [[EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 (fall)|ATL]]
| [[Silverado 350K|TEX]]
| [[Casino Arizona 150|PHO]]
| [[Ford 200|HOM]]
! 23rd
! 1550
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2007/C|title=Bill Lester – 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|-
! [[2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series|2021]]
! [[David Gilliland Racing]]
! 17
! [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[2021 NextEra Energy 250|DAY]]
| [[2021 BrakeBest Brake Pads 159|DAY]]
| [[2021 Bucked Up 200|LVS]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[2021 Fr8Auctions 200|ATL]]<br>{{small|36}}
| [[2021 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt|BRI]]
| [[2021 ToyotaCare 250|RCH]]
| [[2021 WISE Power 200|KAN]]
| [[2021 LiftKits4Less.com 200|DAR]]
| [[2021 Toyota Tundra 225|COA]]
| [[2021 North Carolina Education Lottery 200|CLT]]
| [[2021 SpeedyCash.com 220|TEX]]
| [[2021 Rackley Roofing 200|NSH]]
| [[2021 CRC Brakleen 150|POC]]
| [[2021 Corn Belt 150|KNX]]
| [[2021 United Rentals 176 at The Glen|GLN]]
| [[2021 Toyota 200|GTW]]
| [[2021 In It To Win It 200|DAR]]
| [[2021 UNOH 200|BRI]]
| [[2021 Victoria's Voice Foundation 200|LVS]]
| [[2021 Chevrolet Silverado 250|TAL]]
| [[2021 United Rentals 200|MAR]]
| [[2021 Lucas Oil 150|PHO]]
| colspan=3|
! 89th
! 1
! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/lestebi01/2021/C|title=Bill Lester – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=December 30, 2021}}</ref>
|}

{{sup|*}} Season still in progress<br>
{{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.billlester.com}}
* {{Racing-Reference driver|Bill_Lester}}

{{David Gilliland Racing}}
{{Billy Ballew Motorsports}}
{{Bill Davis Racing}}
{{Bobby Hamilton Racing}}
{{Team Racing}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lester, Bill}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Daytona drivers]]
[[Category:Rolex Sports Car Series drivers]]
[[Category:NASCAR drivers]]
[[Category:Trans-Am Series drivers]]
[[Category:UC Berkeley College of Engineering alumni]]
[[Category:African-American racing drivers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Starworks Motorsport drivers]]