Winning in Reverse: Defying the Odds and Achieving Dreams―The Bill Lester Story

The amazing and dramatic story of Bill Lester, one of the most well-known NASCAR drivers in history—and a pioneer whose determination and spirit has paved the way for a new generation of racers.

Winning in Reverse tells the story of Bill Lester whose love for racing eventually compelled him to quit his job as an engineer to pursue racing full time. Blessed with natural talent, Bill still had a trifecta of odds against him: he was black, he was middle aged, and he wasn’t a southerner.

Bill Lester rose above it all, as did his rankings, and he made history time and time again, becoming the first African American to race in NASCAR’s Busch Series, the first to participate in the Nextel Cup and the first to win a Pole Position start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Whether you are contemplating a career or lifestyle change, challenging social norms, or struggling against prejudice or bigotry, Winning in Reverse is a story for sports fans and readers everywhere about the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Bill Lester was born in Washington, D.C. attended University of California Berkeley. Before becoming a professional race car driver, he worked Hewlett-Packard. Lester competed in NASCAR and IMSA, two of America's most prestigious racing series and earned six podium finishes and one victory during his 10 full seasons. Bill has received various awards including "Trailblazer in Motor Sports" and the "Jackie Robinson Award" award from the Rainbow/PUSH organization and the "Sam Lacy Pioneer Award" from the National Association of Black Journalists in 2013. He was a broadcast analyst for Fox Sports South show "Around the Track" and the NBC Sports show "NASCAR America."

Recognized for his definitive books and articles on motor racing, Atlanta author Jonathan Ingram has written eight books, including CRASH!, part of the library collection at the National Museum of American History, and is the winner of awards from the National Motorsports Press Association and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.