Race Notes
Performance Record: Daytona International Speedway (Bill Lester’s First Truck Series Event at Facility)
Topics of Interest
Not Really the First Race at Daytona: Bill Lester will be making his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Daytona on Friday, February 15, 2002, but it is not the first time he has ever raced at the famous 2.5-mile super speedway. Lester competed in the 24-Hours of Daytona from 1998 to 2001 before turning his attention to truck racing.
“It's with great anticipation that I look towards my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck race at Daytona,” said Lester. “I say first truck race at Daytona since I've actually raced at Daytona before. I competed here in four straight Rolex 24-Hour sports car races from 1998 to 2001. This year, however, I get to stay on the oval instead of running through the infield road course. It should be really cool experiencing the draft each lap, and I hope everyone keeps their head so that we have a safe, caution-free race.”
Rookie of the Year: Lester and the No. 8 Dodge Team have one goal in mind by the time the 2002 season ends in Homestead, Florida, and that is winning the Rookie of the Year Award.
“One of my most significant goals this year is to win the Rookie of the Year title,” said Lester. “Doing so won't be easy though. I'll be competing against guys with a lot more stock car experience than I have, including Brendan Gaughan, Trent Owens, Donnie Neuenberger, and Jason Small. However, I have something that these other guys don't have, and that's Bobby Hamilton Racing.”
Owners Points: The No. 8 Dodge Motorsports team finished 20th in the final Truck Series points standings last year with Willy T. Ribbs behind the wheel.
Quotes
“It's hard to contain my excitement going into this year. My dreams have come true. I've worked long and hard to get to this position, and you can better believe I'm going to do all I can to prove that I belong here.”
“With Bobby's (Hamilton) overall guidance, the knowledge of crew chief Kip McCord, and the experience of teammate, Robert Pressley, I think I'll have the upper hand and everything I need to get the job done. I'm looking forward to a great year.”
“The open test at Daytona during the month of January was a lot of fun. From a driver's perspective, my eyes were definitely more wide open my first time at Talladega than they were my first time here at Daytona. We learned a lot from Daytona testing about what the truck likes and dislikes.”
