Bill Davis Racing News Rumors

Dave Blaney, Jeremy Mayfield & BDR News Page 2

Oct. 27, 2005:

Wimmer released from BDR after 2005: Bill Davis Racing announced today Scott Wimmer will finish the 2005 season as the driver of the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but will not be returning behind the wheel of the No. 22 car in 2006. This will mark the conclusion of a four-year relationship in which car owner Bill Davis and Wimmer started in 2001, when Davis signed the young driver to a multi-year deal to drive for him in the NASCAR Busch Series. “Scott is a good driver and person. I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Bill Davis Racing and our sponsors when I say we wish him well,” said Bill Davis, team owner and president. “This is the part of this business I don’t like. Change isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but it is usually the best thing for everyone. I know it is what has made this sport grow and everyone grow who works in it. Scott is going to be successful and he most definitely still has a promising career ahead of him as a race car driver.” BDR is still working to confirm its final plans for the No. 22 Caterpillar team’s 2006 season. “We are still working to find a replacement, which has not been designated at this time,” Davis said. “There are some very talented drivers out there right now without full-time rides for next year. Hopefully, we can get someone locked in very soon.” (Bill Davis Racing PR)

Oct. 8, 2005:

Lester's Cup debut on hold: Bill Lester's bid to become the first African-American driver to compete in NASCAR's top series since 1986 will be delayed until next season. Mike Brown, general manager for Bill Davis Racing, had said the team hoped to have Lester compete in select races this season, depending on sponsorship. Brown said Friday at Kansas Speedway that Lester's debut likely will take place early next year. It could happen at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track Bill Davis Racing excels. "We do have some plans for Lester in '06,'' Brown said. "Right now, it's hard to say what it will be, one or two races or as many as 10. "It just hasn't really come together as fast as we hoped. The key is we want to do it right. Another six months is not going to make a huge difference to try to do it the right way.'' The 44-year-old Lester competes in the Craftsman Truck series for Bill Davis Racing. He ranks 18th in the points. (Roanoke.com)

Wimmer to stay with Bill Davis Racing: Mike Brown said Friday that Scott Wimmer will remain with Bill Davis Racing next season. Wimmer's contract goes through next season. There had been speculation that Wimmer, 33rd in the point standings, might not remain with the team after this season. (Roanoke.com)

Oct. 1, 2005:

Best Western joins Waltrip and Bill Davis Racing: Best Western International, the Official Hotel of NASCAR, announced that it has partnered with Bill Davis Racing (BDR) as an associate sponsor on the 2006 Dodge Charger driven in the NEXTEL Cup Series by Michael Waltrip. “We are thrilled to be teaming with Bill Davis Racing in 2006,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing for Best Western. “A respected member of the NASCAR community who has helped to set the standard for the sport, Bill brings a wealth of experience and demonstrated success to the business. With the addition of Michael, Bill Davis Racing provides us with a complete, marketable package.” Bill Davis announced last week his plans for re-establishing BDR as a multi-car team through a partnership with Waltrip. In January 2004, Best Western entered into a multi-year agreement as the Official Hotel of NASCAR. During the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the company has also served as an associate sponsor of Waltrip and the DEI-owned #15 NAPA Chevy. In addition, the hotel chain has partnered with Michael Waltrip Racing for the last two years, serving as primary sponsor of Waltrip’s Busch Series #99 Chevy for the 2004 Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway; and the 2005 Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. For more information, visit: bestwesternracing.com. (BDR)

Sep. 23, 2005:

Its Official Waltrip and NAPA heading to Bill Davis Racing: NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip and NAPA AUTO PARTS announced today they have entered into a partnership with Bill Davis Racing (BDR) for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Nine victories and eight poles are shared between the parties including three Daytona 500 rings and a Southern 500 victory. Bill Davis Racing’s achievements lured Waltrip to their High Point, N.C. race shop. “I like the way Bill does business and he has created a strong organization,” Waltrip explained. “NAPA and I look forward to continuing our winning ways at Bill Davis Racing on the track, as well as extending our successful marketing efforts off the track.” Waltrip and NAPA were teamed up by the late Dale Earnhardt in 2001 when their initial race together put them in victory lane at the Daytona 500. Since then, the pair has taken advantage of their union to create one of the strongest partnerships in the sport. Davis currently fields one full-time NEXTEL Cup Series team with Scott Wimmer driving the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge Charger. In 2004, Davis expanded his operations to house three full-time truck teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The teams include Mike Skinner in the No. 5 Toyota Tundra, Bill Lester in the No. 22 Toyota Tundra, and Johnny Benson in the No. 23 Toyota Tundra. “NAPA and Michael Waltrip are the perfect combination to re-establish our two-car Cup team in 2006,” said Davis. “NAPA and Michael are held in high regard in our sport and have been successful in each Series they have competed. We plan to build on their success and create a very competitive team next year and beyond.” (Bill Davis Racing PR)

Waltrip to join BDR today, with NAPA Sponsorship: Bill Davis Racing hasn't visited Victory Lane since 2002. But with the addition of a second car and solid sponsorship next season, Michael Waltrip says he is optimistic the team can contend for a victory at Daytona International Speedway in February and eventually work its way into the top 10. "There's no reason, with Bill's experience and what I bring to the table, that we can't do that," Waltrip said. Waltrip will announce Friday that he has signed a one-year deal to drive a second car for Davis next season. Davis entered two cars in most races from 2000 to 2003 but cut back last season and now fields only Scott Wimmer's No. 22 car. Wimmer hasn't had a top-10 finish this season and enters Sunday's race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway 33rd in points. "A lot of people might look at it as a step back, but I certainly don't," Waltrip said. Waltrip will bring NAPA Auto Parts, his current sponsor at Dale Earnhardt Inc., with him to Davis; Waltrip, 42, announced in July that he would not return to DEI in 2006. (USA Today)

Aug 22, 2005

Waltrip/Davis haven't talked: Mike Brown, general manager for Bill Davis, said his team has had "no talks at all" with Michael Waltrip about joining their operation next season. (Salem-Journal)

More on #15 DEI car: Dale Earnhardt Inc. is adamant Waltrip will not be in the No. 15 car next season. In fact, if NAPA does not return, another sponsor is waiting to support a research and development car that will offer seat time to Busch racers Paul Menard and Ryan Moore. The rest of the garage is speculating on which organization will get Waltrip. The logical answer: Bill Davis Racing, with its existing Toyota Racing Development (TRD) relationship. Waltrip is expected to have a huge presence with Toyota when it goes Cup racing in 2007. If NAPA does not accompany Waltrip to his next Cup car, other possible sponsors include Domino's and Jim Beam (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

Aug 20, 2005

Waltrip to Bill Davis Racing? The upcoming driver swaps on the Nextel Cup circuit could find Michael Waltrip racing under the banner of Bill Davis Racing in 2006, and he might be taking his current sponsor, NAPA, with him. Waltrip has informed his current team, Dale Earnhardt Inc., that he won't be returning to the No. 15 Chevy he has driven for the past five seasons. A move to Davis' team would mesh nicely with Waltrip's expected plans to join Toyota's team when that manufacturer moves to the Cup circuit, because Davis already is running Toyotas in the Craftsman Truck Series. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Aug 7, 2005

Bill Lester to get Cup ride? NASCAR's top series could soon have its first African-American driver in nearly 20 years, as Bill Lester and team owner Bill Davis have discussed the possibility of putting Lester in a Nextel Cup car later this season. "We've kicked it around, definitely," Lester said Saturday. Lester, 44, has been a regular in NASCAR's Craftsman Trucks Series — stock car racing's equivalent to Class AA baseball — since 2002. If he qualified for a Cup race, he would become the first African-American driver to race in NASCAR's top series since Willy T. Ribbs, who ran three races in 1986.Lester said he has made it clear to Davis that his goal is to race in the Nextel Cup, and Davis has been receptive. "It's just a matter of all the planets lining up," Lester said. (USA Today)

Aug 6, 2005

Toyota not to hit track next week? But announcement? On-again, off-again reports of Toyota's future plans continue to pop up here and there. Toyota officials continue to leave their NASCAR plans open-ended, saying they are committed to running well in Craftsman Trucks before proceeding to stock cars, either in Busch or Cup. One report said Toyota plans to test a car at Atlanta next week, but Toyota associates said Friday that was news to them. "Next week?" scoffed car owner Bill Davis, who has supervised Toyota's NASCAR developments. "I will tell you that [Toyota] will have an announcement in the near future. Asked when and where, Davis repeated, "In the near future." (SPEED)

July 17, 2005

Updated on Bill Davis Racing and Dodge lawsuit: A U.S. District Court judge granted summary judgment in favor of Bill Davis Racing after determining BDR did not violate terms of an agreement with Daimler-Chrysler by working with Toyota Racing Development USA in 2002 and early 2003. Daimler-Chrysler terminated its Dodge support of BDR in 2003 after learning of its involvement with TRD, which the court said was permitted under the contract. The case now goes to trial on Daimler-Chrysler's contention that BDR conveyed confidential tech information to TRD and BDR's suit for substantial damages because of wrongful termination. No trial date has been set. "We are confident the remaining issues in the case will ultimately be resolved favorably to the interests of BDR," owner Bill Davis said in a statement. (Times-Dispatch)

May 25 2005

Skinner in 23 Car: Mike Skinner will run the #23 Bill Davis Racing Dodge this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600. Skinner most recently raced the #23 Bill Davis Racing Dodge last month at Talladega Superspeedway, where he was taken out of contention in the 25-car pileup on lap 132 of the 194-lap event (started 34th, finished 42nd). He also raced the #23 at Daytona International Speedway in February .(Bill Davis Racing)

April 24, 2005

Bill Davis Racing and Dodge Lawsuit: A decision in the DaimlerChrylser/Bill Davis Racing legal battle, now almost two years old, could be on the horizon. Federal district court judge George Steeth is currently scheduled May 9 to hear a motion by DaimlerChrylser for partial summary judgment and a motion by BDR for summary judgment. The case stems from DaimlerChrysler dropping its factory support of BDR's Dodge team in the Cup series. Chrysler sued BDR in Michigan state court May 2003, alleging breach of contract for helping Toyota with development of its NASCAR truck program. After getting the case moved to federal court, BDR counter sued, claiming DC had no basis for unilaterally voiding the contract, which was to have run through the 2006 season according to court documents. Chrysler alleges that BDR helping Toyota, which is not racing in the Cup series, violated a contract clause prohibiting teams from aiding a Dodge racing rival because the clause extends to any NASCAR series. In briefs filed for the upcoming hearing, DC alleges that BDR helped launch Toyota's truck development program in High Point in April 2002 and that employees from BDR's Dodge teams were active in the development work, including a BDR engineer garbed in a Toyota shirt at wind tunnel and track tests. DC also alleges that BDR supplied Toyota with Cup engine information which DC claims was to have been for a possible try at Cup racing in 2005. (The HighPoint Enterprise)

Feb. 27, 2005

Bill Davis Not at Track: Bill Davis is absent from California Speedway this weekend due to the death of his father, Jake Davis 79, on February 24th.

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