Lester attempts to make history.

Bill Lester is looking to become the first African American driver to qualify for a Nextel Cup race in 20 years this weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The Craftsman Truck Series regular will pilot a third Bill Davis Racing Dodge with support from Waste Management and crew chief Ricky Viers and, should he successfully make it through the qualifying gauntlet, he would become the first black driver since Willy T Ribbs in 1986 to qualify for a Cup Series race.

"I'm really looking forward to making my first Nextel Cup start this weekend in Atlanta," says the 45 year-old Californian born driver, who has made more than 100 Truck Series starts and scored six top ten finishes. "I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and I'm especially thankful that my Truck Series sponsor Waste Management is coming along for the ride. Waste Management is a great company and a great sponsor and they've always been behind me 100 percent. I'm honoured they are supporting me in my efforts at every level of racing, and I'm hopeful we can get our #23 car into the show and ready to go for Sunday.

Lester and his #23 team tested at Kentucky Speedway last weekend to prepare for this weekend's event.

"I'm certainly confident in our Bill Davis Racing team and my crew chief, Ricky Viers, and I know we'll show up with a competitive car and a great group of people on the team, plus we'll have our teammates to lean on for support if we need it. We tested in Kentucky last week in preparation for this event, and I can't wait to get to Atlanta."

Though Lester has not made a Cup Series start on the 1.54-mile Atlanta track, he has been successful at the venue in the Craftsman Truck Series. Lester's first of his three career Atlanta starts came in 2004. Lester has never qualified outside the top seven and has one top-15 finish and one top-20 finish to show for his efforts.

"Racing the trucks at this track would be something to look forward to in itself, but your first start in the Cup Series is something you dream of your whole life and obviously only happens once. The possibilities from this point forward are endless, and I can't wait to see what happens from here."