9/17/2011
Bill Lester
Close But Not Close Enough In Mid-Ohio
Bill Lester - bidding to become the country's first African-American champion of a major auto racing series - and teammate Jordan Taylor - looking to become GRAND-AM's youngest champion - came up two points shy in their bid to make history in the No. 88 Autohaus Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Bill spun and lost a lap in the opening minutes of the race, and the team fought back to regain the lead lap and finish eighth at Mid-Ohio.
Thanks to the many Bill Lester, Jordan Taylor, Autohaus Motorsports, & other GRAND-AM fans that voted Bill Lester and Jordan Taylor winners of the 2011 Rolex Moment of the Year for their breakthrough victory at Virginia International Raceway. Lester became GRAND-AM's first African-American winner, and came two points shy of becoming America's first black champion. Taylor, 20, came up short on a bid to become GRAND-AM's youngest champion.
SPEED's Leigh Diffey was master of ceremonies, with musical entertainment provided by Nik and Sam.
The next activity for the Rolex Series will be testing at Barber Motorsports Park on Oct. 17-18, with sessions at Daytona in November and December. The 2012 season officially gets underway with Jan. 5-8 "Roar Before the Rolex 24" Test Days at Daytona International Speedway, leading up to the 50th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 28-29. The complete 2012 Rolex Series schedule will be announced in the near future.
Submitted By: Philip Hampton
