ATLANTA – Bill Lester will return to NASCAR competition when he competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20.

Lester, the first African American competitor to win a pole in the Truck Series, will drive the No. 17 David Gilliland Racing Ford F-150 in his first Truck Series start since 2007.

The 60-year-old racer will have sponsorship from Camping World, the Greater Atlanta Ford Dealers and Tommy’s Express Car Wash.

Lester is one of four African American drivers in the last 60 years to race in the NASCAR Cup Series and he was the first black driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In 2011, Lester also became the first African American driver to win a race in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

Lester, who resides in the Atlanta area, is excited to make his return to the Camping World Truck Series.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and I want to thank David Gilliland Racing for their help in making this happen,” Lester said. “It’s been more than a few years since my last race in the series, but to have strong partners like the Greater Atlanta Ford Dealers, Camping World, and Tommy’s Express Car Wash joining me for my return means a lot and I am honored to have them on-board. I look forward to competing at my home track, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and hope to make all those who are supporting me proud.”