Auto racing notes: tight race for NASCAR trucks title Nov 7, 2008
Hornaday, who drives for Kevin Harvick Inc., has won twice, while Benson, driving for Bill Davis Racing, has one win. Benson has finished among the top-10 at the Arizona track in 85. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
FINAL LAPS: Five things watch as Chase winds down Nov 7, 2008
DEI, Bill Davis Racing, Ganassi, Petty Enterprises. the list goes on and on, and not everyone will make it in this year's version of survival of the fittest. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Primal Quest has enjoyed quick rise in popularity Nov 7, 2008
History shows that the competitors must be in outstanding physical and mental condition to be able to continue on course for up to 10 days with little or no sleep, said Bill Davis, Primal Quest race manager. It is truly inspiring to witness the performance of highly trained and motivated athletes in a competitive and difficult environment. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Questions/Answers Nov 6, 2008
Benson revealed Wednesday on "Tradin' Paint" on Sirius Radio he'll not return to Bill Davis Racing next year and is facing some major decisions. "I'm opting to try and do something different. Now, I threw around the idea of maybe retiring at the end of the season but when I had said that a bunch of opportunities come up," said Benson. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Edwards isn't giving up Oct 28, 2008
The Morning Sun: Serving Clare, Gratiot and Isabella counties. MICentral Network: lect. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Manteca's Speed prepares for Sprint Cup debut Oct 16, 2008
"He's one of the most talented drivers I've come across in eight years with Bill Davis Racing," Wolcott said. "He's the real deal. If he gets into a Cup car and doesn't do well, nothing would shock me more.". (Modesto Bee, CA)
Crunch time for Nascar Oct 15, 2008
Childress grabbed General Mills Inc. from Petty Enterprises in April and Caterpillar Inc. from Bill Davis Racing in June. Neither Petty, a family-owned team that fielded a car in Nascar's first race in its top stock-car series at Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1949, nor Davis have secured replacements. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Economy, learning curve hurting open-wheel drivers Oct 3, 2008
The former Formula 1 champ and 1995 Indy 500 winner left Bill Davis Racing after crashing in a qualifying race for the Daytona 500. Carpentier plans to stick it out a little longer. (MSNBC -- Sports)
BOWLES: It's a buyers' market with these top five free agents Oct 3, 2008
People forget he was once one of Cup's hottest young talents, finishing third in the Daytona 500 in 2004 during a two-year stint for Bill Davis Racing. Here's a thought: with the Pettys looking for a younger driver to rebuild, why not give Wimmer a serious look. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Barker joins Waltrip Oct 3, 2008
Barker, who works for Haas CNC Racing, has worked for Bill Davis Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. Stewart will own 50 percent of that organization next season. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Hallam moves from F1 to NASCAR, joins Waltrip team Sep 21, 2008
"As long as we know it, as long as it's clear that television, radio, print is going to print the things that we say, then so be it. It creates a bit of drama for us, but you know that's why it's fun to watch, so I'm OK with it.''---PIT STOPS: With Bill Davis Racing possibly up for sale, driver Dave Blaney could be looking for a new ride next season. Davis' one-car team has a lucrative Toyota deal, but is lacking the sponsorship needed to be competitive. Blaney, who has only two top-10s this... (MSNBC -- Sports)
F1 HELP: McLaren engineer joins Waltrip Sep 21, 2008
PIT STOPS: With Bill Davis Racing possibly up for sale, driver Dave Blaney could be looking for a new ride next season. Davis' one-car team has a lucrative Toyota deal, but is lacking the sponsorship needed to be competitive. (USA Today -- Sports)
Tom BowlesINSIDE NASCAR Sep 20, 2008
Rumored to be brokering a deal to buy Bill Davis Racing this week, negotiations on that side have fallen through. Bill Davis Racing officials had no comment on the process, but all indications are their organization is still up for sale -- just not to GEM. (A spokesman for Gillett Evernham Motorsports said the team won't comment on any merger speculation). (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Tim TuttleINSIDE NASCAR Sep 17, 2008
The answer is dependant upon Gillett Evernham Motorsports finalizing negotiations (sources say they're ongoing in earnest) to purchase Bill Davis Racing's Cup program, which seems likely. Deep-pocketed majority owner George Gillett can make Davis an offer he can't afford to refuse. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Dodge expects GEM to stay with car Sep 17, 2008
Mike Delahanty, senior manager for Dodge Motorsports programs, called a possible GEM switch to Toyota "nothing but pure speculation."GEM is believed to be in talks to purchase Bill Davis Racing, one of the original Toyota teams, as a way to expand to four cars ... Bill Davis' one-car team has a lucrative Toyota deal but is lacking the sponsorship needed to be competitive. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Chase drivers don't know what to expect Sep 13, 2008
Bill Davis has put 16 and the other big owners have been less than a handful. And every one of those 29, we've underwritten. (Concord Monitor)
Stewart, Logano off probation Sep 5, 2008
NEW DRIVER: Bill Davis Racing has hired Brian Scott, 82, as a full-time driver in the 2009 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The youngster from Boise, Idaho, has competed in 23 truck events the past two seasons. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Sprint Cup: 3M Performance 400 at Michigan Internation Aug 18, 2008
Former Indy winner interested in BDRFormer Indianapolis 500 winner Danny Sullivan said he has been in discussions with team owner Bill Davis to acquire an interest in Bill Davis Racing. Sullivan said he and an investment partner who he declined to name have had several conversations with Davis about acquiring an interest or perhaps all of Davis' Sprint Cup and Trucks organization, which is based in High Point. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Sullivan offers to buy NASCAR team Aug 17, 2008
BROOKLYN, Michigan -- Danny Sullivan, the "Spin and Win" driver who won the 1985 Indianapolis 500, has put an offer together to purchase the Bill Davis Racing operation in NASCAR.. Sullivan, one of the most popular IndyCar drivers when he raced for team owners Roger Penske and Rick Galles, told SI.com on Friday that he has discussed a deal with Bill Davis, a long-time NASCAR team owner whose car won the 2002 Daytona 500 with Ward Burton as the driver ... "I've been pursuing it but haven't gotten... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Results are evidence Speed is fast learner Aug 14, 2008
Red Bull planned to only sponsor Speed this year in ARCA with Eddie Sharp Racing but now has him driving a Bill Davis Racing truck and testing for the Cup team. Frye plans to have Speed in NASCAR's top series by 2010. (USA Today -- Sports)
Cup rookies struggle Aug 10, 2008
Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve left the series and Bill Davis Racing shortly after failing to make the field for the Daytona 500. Franchitti, last season's IndyCar Series champion, lost his Cup ride when Chip Ganassi Racing closed it down when it could not find a full-time sponsor to fund it. (News & Observer -- Sports)
This Week In Auto Racing August 8 - 10 Aug 7, 2008
" Benson's Bill Davis Racing teammate, Mike Skinner, won three-consecutive races during the 1997 and 2007 seasons. Ron Hornaday, Jr. captured three straight victories in 1997. Greg Biffle did it in 2000, and Todd Bodine pulled the trick in 2005. No driver in the series has ever won four in a row. Benson comes to Nashville with a 15-point lead over defending series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr. and a 31-point advantage over Matt Crafton. Rick Crawford (-155) and Mike Skinner (-157) are fourth and... (ABC 7 News, DC)
Johnny Benson answers some questions Aug 1, 2008
A: "We'd surely like it to be that way for sure. It would mean a lot not just exactly for myself either but for (crew chief) Trip Bruce and all the guys that work at Bill Davis Racing. They work so hard and I believe they deserve . . . a championship. I think that would be a great thing for them.". Q: It also would be (truck owner) Bill (Davis) first championship wouldn't it. (Florida Today)
Two Truck Wins In A Row For Benson Jul 26, 2008
The No.23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota driver held off Ron Hornaday, Jr. in a two-lap shootout to the finish. The victory was Benson's third of the season and 12th of his truck career. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Skinner Snares Pole Award Jul 20, 2008
487 seconds) lap in his No. 5 Bill Davis Racing machine this afternoon ... Our truck wasn't really good enough to get the pole today, but I'm not sure how many of these things we've gotten because I was dumb enough to hold the thing wide-open and not hit the fence," he said.NASCAR Sprint Cup Series leader Kyle Busch, making his first NCTS Kentucky appearance in the No. 51 Billy Ballew machine, will start second after turning a 171.217-mph (31.539 seconds). A win would make Busch the first... (WKRC.com, OH)
Skinner Grabs Truck Pole At Kentucky Jul 20, 2008
The No.5 Bill Davis Racing Toyota driver rounded the 1. 5-mile speedway in 31. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Villeneuve returns to tackle home track Jul 18, 2008
Randy Phillips, Canwest News Service Published:Thursday, July 17, 2008. Story tools presented by. (National Post)
BOWLES: Midseason report cards for drivers on the Sprint Cup Circuit Jul 13, 2008
Instead, he's had a dramatic fall from grace, with his Bill Davis Racing team failing to qualify at Talladega while racking up just two top-10 finishes. With financial backer Caterpillar leaving the No. 22 team at season's end, the next 18 races are purely a battle for survival for this 45-year-old veteran. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
NASCAR's feeling effects of slumping economy Jul 8, 2008
"What we said then is true today: These run in cycles. We're not immune to a difficult economy. We have had a number of renewals in the sponsorship areas ... at very high rates, to teams that are performing well. We'll always have teams that are not performing well that will be more challenged to keep sponsors, and that is amplified when we have a tight economy. It's going to always run in cycles. We just continue to deliver value for the sponsors and the teams, and we will be OK.''Not everyone... (MSNBC -- Sports)
ANALYSIS: Economic decline slowing NASCAR's success (Today) Jul 8, 2008
All three companies are moving from less-successful teams, leaving Bill Davis Racing, Petty Enterprises and Michael Waltrip Racing scrambling to find financing. Based on recent contract announcements, it seems only 24 cars currently have full sponsorship in place for the 2009 season. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Slumping economy affects NASCAR Jul 8, 2008
All three companies are moving from less-successful teams, leaving Bill Davis Racing, Petty Enterprises and Michael Waltrip Racing scrambling to find financing any kind of money at all It s doubtful those teams will secure anything close to the 20 million or more in annual funding that the best teams attract. Based on recent contract announcements, it seems only 24 cars currently have full sponsorship in place for the 2009 season. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
THE BIG FOUR: A handful of owners control NASCAR Jul 4, 2008
General Mills and Caterpillar were primary sponsors of existing teams -- Bill Davis Racing and Petty Enterprises, respectively -- and neither have found a replacement for 2009. Indeed, the economic conditions for everyone else resemble the last day of a Going Out Of Business Sale. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
RACE PICKS: Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Jun 28, 2008
SI.com's experts: Loudon a wide-open affair - Racing - SI.com. Posted: Friday June 27, 2008 12:36PM; Updated: Friday June 27, 2008 2:21PM. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
FOLLOWING JUNIOR: Will DEI top dog Truex be next to go? Jun 27, 2008
It was also the last time Bill Davis Racing reached Victory Lane. More from SI.com Latest News. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Give Logano time to be great driver Jun 26, 2008
The same is true for Ryan Mathews, who was running well in trucks for Bill Davis Racing until he found himself on the street because he had been replaced by a driver with a sponsor. The fact is that like a No. 1 draft pick in baseball, Logano will be given plenty of opportunities to fail. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Busch Continues to Win Jun 26, 2008
Other rumors for next year include a related story involving ARMY leaving DEI and heading for Bill Davis Racing. That move doesn't make any sense to me, but we'll see what happens. (Altivista Journal, VA)
New star shooting right into Sprint Cup Jun 22, 2008
Caterpillar had been the primary sponsor of the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota driven by Dave Blaney ... First, General Mills leaves Petty to sponsor RCR's new fourth team next season and now Caterpillar leaves Bill Davis. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Biffle 'really close' to contract extension Jun 21, 2008
Caterpillar moves to Burton's car after 10 seasons sponsoring the No. 22 at Bill Davis Racing. Burton's brother, Ward, drove the car during part of that stretch and won both a Daytona 500 and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with the CAT colors. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Caterpillar, Childress hook up for racing partnership Jun 20, 2008
Caterpillar leaves Bill Davis Racing and its current driver, Dave Blaney, after 10 years. The company's contract with BDR is up at the end of the year. (Pekin Times, IL)
With Sprint in driver's seat, Burton bids AT&T adieu Jun 19, 2008
Caterpillar leaves Bill Davis Racing's No. 22 Toyota and its driver, , after a 10-year partnership. Replacements. (USA Today -- Sports)
NASCAR Around The Corner Jun 15, 2008
" And the enhanced preparation for Sonoma is taking place right up to race day: Last Tuesday, six drivers completed a one-day test session at Infineon, including Sam Hornish, the former IndyCar veteran who will be driving the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge. With NASCAR racing coming to Sonoma in less than a week, let's look at some of the newsmakers that have shaped the Sprint Cup season so far. Toyota is dominating: In 2007, Toyota was not much of a force in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing; its top driver, Dave... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
NASCAR notes Jun 5, 2008
No. 22 Toyota, Bill Davis Racing. This week: Blaney has posted only two top-10 finishes in 16 starts at Pocono but believes a third top-10 finish is a definite possibility this weekend. (USA Today -- Sports)
LOOK WHO'S LURKING: Gordon climbing Driver Rankings Jun 4, 2008
His No. 22 Bill Davis Racing team has turned it around ever since they failed to qualify at Talladega. Well, Shirley, here's your shout out. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Trucks rookie Speed takes home Dover checkered flag May 31, 2008
Speed, who in 2006 became the first American to drive the Formula 1 circuit since Michael Andretti (1993), was making just his sixth truck start, driving the Red Bull Toyota for Bill Davis. His previous best truck finish had been eighth in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway on April 26. (USA Today -- Sports)
Speed Is Third Straight First-time Truck Winner May 31, 2008
Again Busch jumped out to a straightaway lead after the caution flag, but behind him Skinner and Johnny Benson were locked in a battle of Bill Davis Racing teammates. Meanwhile, Hornaday Jr. got around Speed for fourth. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Auto racing: Cassill hopes to top Logano May 31, 2008
Annett will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for Bill Davis Racing June 20 at Milwaukee, according to a team news release. "I'm thrilled," Annett said. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Domination: 17-year-old Joey Logano led 257 of 312 laps to win the Inaugural ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 500 May 6, 2008
This guy asked (Sprint Cup star Jeff) Gordon, Hey, I ve watched you in midgets and sprint cars and Bill Davis Busch car and now driving for Hendrick. You ve had some really premier stuff to drive. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
Logano quickest in Friday's practice May 3, 2008
Bill Davis Racing s Michael Annett was third quickest in the No. 28 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota, followed by Justin Marks in the No. 01 Aisin AW Toyota and Dexter Bean in the No. 37 Glock Chevrolet. SIM Factory Pole Qualifying Up Next. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
Stock cars return to The Rock May 2, 2008
"ARCA LEADERS: Entries include nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, who is second in points even though he is without a sponsor this season after starting his own team.* Points leader Matt Carter occupies the No. 46 Clement Racing Ford vacated by Kimmel. Carter is the son of Travis Carter, who was the crew chief for then-Ellerbe resident Benny Parsons when he won the 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship at Rockingham.OTHER NOTABLE ENTRIES: Bobby Gerhart is a series... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Open-wheel imports find tough going with NASCAR Apr 20, 2008
In fact, Villenueve did not make the field for the Daytona 500 and has not attempted a race since with Bill Davis Racing. But Villenueve is not the only open-wheel newcomer to lose his ride. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
ARCA RE/MAX stars prepare for $150 Grand Apr 19, 2008
Bill Davis Racing has also entered a team with Des, Moines, Iowa rookie sensation Michael Annett at the helm. Annett has filled headlines recently with back-to-back superspeedway wins at Talladega '07 and Daytona '08. (Kansas City Kansan, KS)
Open wheel drivers not performing as expected Apr 19, 2008
In fact, Villenueve did not make the field for the Daytona 500 and has not attempted a race since with Bill Davis Racing. But Villenueve is not the only open wheel newcomer to lose his ride. (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
Motorin: Rob Grays auto racing notebook Apr 16, 2008
The Bill Davis Racing driver won the ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener at Daytona in February and returns to Iowa Speedway for the Prairie Meadows 250 on Saturday. The Des Moines native finished third in the event last season his ARCA debut. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Drivers prepare for Kansas Lottery $150 Grand at Kansas Speedway Apr 12, 2008
Kansas City Kansan - Sports. Saturday, April 12, 2008. (Kansas City Kansan, KS)
NASCAR trucks test run at the repaved 'Lady in Black' Apr 9, 2008
I sure hope so, said Johnny Benson, whose Bill Davis No. 23 Toyota Tundra took part Tuesday ... Also participating Tuesday were Benson's Bill Davis teammates, Mike Skinner and Phillip McGilton, and the Roush Fenway Racing teams of Joey Clanton and Erik Darnell. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Newman penalized Apr 9, 2008
Could the test mean trucks will return to "The Lady In Black?""I sure hope so," said Johnny Benson, whose Bill Davis No. 23 Toyota Tundra took part. Benson said the new, smooth surface should give truck teams some good information to use at future races, such as the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 in Kansas City, Mo. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Future of Petty, Wood teams on shaky ground Apr 3, 2008
Times will get rougher for Petty, Wood Brothers, Yates Racing, Bill Davis Racing, Robby Gordon Motorsports, Team Red Bull, Front Row Motorsports, Furniture Row Racing and BAM.. Some might expand, some might merge and some will not survive. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Racin' With Russ Apr 3, 2008
--- Don't count out Jacque Villenueve from returning to Bill Davis Racing Cup action before the year is out. The world champion is said to be taking part in some of the Speedcar racing overseas while still working on obtaining backing to re-enter the taxi-cab set. (Altivista Journal, VA)
LIFE BEGINS AT 40: Veteran seizes lead in Sprint Cup Apr 2, 2008
He spent eight seasons in Cup before returning full-time to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he was champion in 1995, as a factory-backed driver for Toyota with Bill Davis Racing in 2004. The 50-year-old is still with Davis. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Auto racing: Annett is showing grit, has eye on NASCAR Apr 1, 2008
As in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, a lofty realm Annett, who tests his Bill Davis Racing ARCA RE/MAX Series car today at Iowa Speedway, naturally hopes to reach down the road. "Next year, hopefully we can run a full (NASCAR) Nationwide Series (schedule)," said Annett, the Des Moines driver who plans to drive in a couple Nationwide Series events in the second half of this season. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Stark reality hits open-wheel rookies Mar 28, 2008
A lack of sponsorship pushed him out of the Bill Davis Racing ride he had planned to pilot, and the team has since ceased operations on the No. 27 Toyota. Carpentier, another Canadian who raced in both Champ Cars and the Indy Racing League, has a solid team and sponsorship but can't make races. (Cleveland.com -- Sports)
Open-wheelers' struggles one of top surprises Mar 28, 2008
"I didn't expect it to be easy by any stretch, but it's even more difficult than I thought,'' said Franchitti, Montoya's teammate at Chip Ganassi Racing.The attention Montoya received last season while winning rookie of the year, a Cup race and a Nationwide race made the venture look promising for anyone seeking a fresh start away from fledgling open-wheel. No one expected these newcomers to match Montoya's success. Then again, no one expected them to struggle as much as they have,... (MSNBC -- Sports)
2000 NASCAR Rookie Class Mar 25, 2008
Blaney s career began with Bill Davis Racing, but they parted ways in 2002. After a short stint with the now-defunct Jasper Engines outfit, Blaney spent a season with Richard Childress Racing before returning to Bill Davis Racing in 2006. (Suite101.com)
The top 35: Who's in and who's out in the Sprint Cup Mar 20, 2008
Following McMurray in 37th is the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota team owned by Bill Davis, and driven by Dave Blaney, making his 15th start at Martinsville next week with a best finish of 16th back in 2005. David Reutimann, driver for the No. 44 UPS Toyota owned by Michael Waltrip, is facing a whole new set of challenges after racing the No. 00 to 26th place in the standings. (Niles Star, MI)
From hockey to racing; Annett heads to Rockingham Mar 16, 2008
Bill Davis Racing s Michael Annett was an aspiring hockey player before making the switch to stock car auto racing ... To watch Annett and his Bill Davis Racing Team in action at Rockingham, call the track for tickets at (910) 205-8800. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
