BILLY BALLEW MOTORSPORTS

Billy Ballew Motorsports will take to the track in February to begin the teams 11th year competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In 2007, Billy Ballew Motorsports has combined forces with Bill Lester, a six year series driver.

Formed in 1996, Billy Ballew Motorsports, with the help of fellow Georgians, Tony and Mark Gibson, competed in their first race together at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event. From there, the local Georgia businessman, decided to organize a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Ballew’s hands-on management approach, along with his enthusiasm and dedication, is what helped him bring together this talented and competitive team.

"I have always been a race fan of all series," said Billy Ballew. "I knew I wanted to be a team owner after I started sponsoring a Hav-A-Tampa dirt car in Atlanta. My dream grew and I was given an opportunity to purchase two ARCA cars. After racing a limited ARCA schedule, I decided to expand to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series."

Billy Ballew Motorsports started competing full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2002 and has had a variety of drivers over the years. The team has fielded competitive entries for many well known NASCAR drivers, including Kyle Bush, Jeremy Mayfield, Geoffrey Bodine, Rich Bickle, Joe Ruttman, Bobby Gill, Andy Houston and others. But it was Shane Hmiel who piloted the No. 15 Chevrolet for the 2004 season that brought Billy Ballew his first win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the team’s 100th start in the in the Craftsman Truck Series.
The 2005 season started off with a pole at Daytona International Speedway, followed by three victories with Kyle Busch at the helm. The Billy Ballew Motorsports team finished a career-best fifth in the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners’ Points; an amazing feat considering the season was completed by eight different drivers during the year.

Billy Ballew's commitment to success is evident in his pursuit of his life-long dream; to own a competitive NASCAR team that possesses the ability to run upfront on a consistent basis.

When the checkered flag waved on October 29, 2005, Billy Ballew realized a dream he had been waiting for in 10 years of racing competition. Driver Kyle Busch swept the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ballew’s home track, and by capturing the victory; Ballew had achieved his biggest thrill.

The 2006 Season brought drivers Kyle Krisolff, Kevin Grub, Jeremy Mayfield and Kyle Busch to the No. 15 Craftsman Truck. Kyle Busch, who piloted the No. 51 Billy Ballew entry in four events, gave the team its only win of the season at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. In addition to the one win, the team posted three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Ballew, Lester and veteran crew chief Richie Wauters envision a successful 2007 season after the team developed almost an immediate chemistry at the pre-season test in Daytona. Lester brings to the table 127 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts and earned three poles, two top-five finishes along with six top-ten finishes. He made two starts in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2006 starting 19th in Atlanta.

Billy Ballew Motorsports has made 156 starts in the series and in addition to the five wins (Kyle Busch 4, Shane Hmiel 1) the team has earned two poles (Kerry Earnhardt, Daytona 2005, Kyle Busch, Lowe's 2005).

Both Ballew and Lester reside in the Atlanta area. Ballew has one son Preston, age nine. Lester and his wife Cheryl have two sons, William Alexander IV (Alex) 4, and Austin, 1.