July 16, 2003

Bill Lester No. 8 Dodge Race Notes: Gateway

Performance Record: Gateway International Speedway
Date Start Finish Laps Status Money Won
5-6-01 31 36 1 of 160 handling $ 7,765
5-5-02 12 17 158 of 160 Running 10,790
Totals 159 of 320 (49.6%) $ 18,555

No. 8 Team History:
Year Start Finish Driver
2002 12 17 Bill Lester
2001 23 20 Willy T. Ribbs

Back to Where It All Began: Two years ago at Gateway International Speedway, Bill Lester got his first shot with BHR. After months of testing and countless phone calls to owner, Bobby Hamilton, his efforts were rewarded with his second start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The weekend was not the best in Lester’s career, but it opened the door and paved the way for what became the No. 8 BHR Dodge Motorsports ride.

“I remember we didn’t have the best outing that day, but I knew from the weekend with BHR that we could be very good for each other,” said Lester. “Since that day we’ve had our ups and downs, but it has been a dream come true. When I got the phone call over the winter of 2001, that I would be the driver of the No. 8 Dodge in 2002, I was speechless. Since that day, everyone at BHR, Dodge, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has been outstanding. I can honestly say that I’m living my dream every time I show up at the track.”

Lester and his No. 8 Dodge Motorsports team will show up at the track this weekend riding three week’s worth of solid performances. Lester and the team have finished 12th, 10th, and 12th the last three races and have run even better than that.

“We’re expecting another solid performance this week,” said Lester. “Last week, the guys showed me that they’ve been working on pit stops as we picked up spots every time we pitted. That means I’m going to have to step up myself. The trucks have been great, and I’m very confident when we all get to the track that we’ll be in the ballpark as far as how the truck will perform.”

Announcement: During the weekend at Gateway International Speedway Lester, BHR, and Dodge Motorsports will announce plans concerning the future of the No. 8 team and the second half of 2003. The announcement will be conducted at the track’s media center on Saturday, July 19, 2003.

40th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Start: When Lester takes the green flag at the Ram Tough 200 at Gateway International Speedway, it will be his 40th start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Lester’s 2003 Craftsman Truck Series Event Results

Location Start Finish Laps Status Money
Daytona 8 18 97 of 106 Accident $ 15,165
Darlington 15 12 144 of 147 Running 9,465
Bakersfield 23 13 255 of 255 Running 8,190
Martinsville 17 19 250 of 250 Running 9,315
Charlotte 1 15 135 of 136 Running 11,890
Dover 15 11 198 of 200 Running 13,750
Texas 13 12 146 of 146 Running 13,165
Memphis 14 26 125 of 200 Running 8,990
Milwaukee 23 12 198 of 200 Running 10,215
Kansas 2 10 167 of 167 Running 14,000
Kentucky 9 12 150 of 150 Running 14,940
St. Louis (Next Event)

2003 Totals
Starts - 11
Poles - 1
Wins - 0
Top fives - 0
Top tens - 1
Earnings - $ 129,085
Laps Completed - 1891 of 1978 (95.6%)
Laps Led - 0 of 1978
Races Led - 0 of 11
DNF’s – 1


This Week’s Truck: This week Lester and the No. 8 Dodge Motorsports team will be taking “Curley” back to St. Louis. Last year, Lester and Curley raced their way into the top ten before a miscalculation on fuel mileage cost the team one lap and a chance at a top ten finish. Curley has competed in ten races with a career-best 12th place finish at Texas, and Darlington in 2003.

Performance Chart: Curley
DATE RACE START/FINISH DRIVER
5-5-02 St. Louis 12 17 Bill Lester
5-19-02 Pikes Peak 9 15 Bill Lester
6-29-02 Milwaukee 16 18 Bill Lester
9-21-02 South Boston 31 17 Bill Lester
11-8-02 Phoenix 2 14 Bill Lester
3-14-03 Darlington 14 12 Bill Lester
3-23-03 Bakersfield 23 13 Bill Lester
4-12-03 Martinsville 17 19 Bill Lester
6-6-03 Texas 13 12 Bill Lester
6-21-03 Memphis 14 26 Bill Lester

Lester Quotes

“We had a really good truck at St. Louis last year, but we cost ourselves a top ten finish when we ran out of gas. If we can get the truck handling like we did here last year then we have a chance at improving on our career-best finish of tenth place. Funny thing is I’m not sure what makes me like this place. It may be the banking at one end and the flat track aspect on the other. Maybe subconsciously my mind thinks this place is a road course.”

“This team has really been coming together over the last few weeks. Randy (Seals) has everyone pulling the same direction, and it’s starting to show in how we are running. I’m expecting some really big things in the second half of the year.”

For More Information see www.bobbyhamiltonracing.com