Dodge Splits with Bill Davis Racing

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From Jayski
A top Dodge Motorsports official confirmed Thursday that the automaker has terminated its contract with Bill Davis Racing [BDR]. Davis fields the Winston Cup Dodges of 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton and Kenny Wallace. Davis also fields Chevrolets in the Busch Series for Scott Wimmer. Todd Goyer, manager of Dodge Motorsports, said the contract was terminated prior to last weekend's Coca-Cola 600. Goyer would not comment spcifically on what prompted Dodge's decision, but called BDR's actions "intolerable." He would not provide specifics. A spokeswoman for the Davis team said she was not aware of the change late Thursday afternoon. The loss of factory support means BDR will not receive information and engineering data provided to Dodge programs. BDR could also lose wind-tunnel time and the use of factory-supplied parts for its teams. Bill Davis Racing ran Dodge bodies in last weekend's race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.(ThatsRacin.com). There have been many rumors that BDR has been working with Toyota for the Truck Series, which will run the that series in 2004.
AND Dodge Motorsports has terminated its contract with Bill Davis Racing, cutting off all support and access to information for drivers #22-Ward Burton and #23-Kenny Wallace. Todd Goyer, managing director for Dodge Motorsports, said Thursday the contract was broken before last week's Coca-Cola 600 because of a "material breach of agreement."
"We do have enough reason to reach the conclusion that we did," Goyer said. There has been speculation Davis has been in discussion with Toyota, which will become the first foreign automaker in NASCAR next season when it enters Tundras in the Truck Series. Goyer would not comment further on what led to the split with BDR. Davis can still use Dodge Intrepids for Burton, Wallace and Busch Series driver Scott Wimmer [but run's Chevy's in Busch], but he'll now have to pay for all of his equipment. He'll also be shut out of the information sharing that goes on between Dodge teams. That access can be vital, considering NASCAR heavyweights Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi and Ray Evernham are part of the Dodge contingent. "Factory support means they have access to the technology that all the Dodge teams have and all the information sharing," Goyer said. "It's access to all the technical aspects, plus the marketing support and use of the Dodge brand name." Davis will also lose access to Dodge's wind tunnel in Michigan. Wind tunnel time is one of the greatest expenses in racing and Dodge teams were able to save considerably by having one in-house at the DaimlerChrysler headquarters. The manufacturer now has four official teams - Penske Racing [#2/#12], Chip Ganassi Racing [#40/#41/#42], Evernham Motorsports [#9/#19/#91] and Petty Enterprises [#43/#44/#45] - and nine drivers. #49-Ken Schrader drives a Dodge for BAM Motorsports, but the team does not receive factory support.(Charlotte Observer/AP)(5-29-2003)

Chip Ganassi has been reported to be working with Toyota also. But with the Dodges poor performance this year they can't afford to cut one of their two power teams.
 
If I was Bill Davis I would switch to Pontiac. Ward finished in the ten in points twice in Pontiacs and with only 3 competitive pontiacs in Winston Cup right now Ward would certainly be one of if not the best pontiac week in and week out.
 
:o Oh my gosh! So this basically means that they won't be as good now!?! :unsure: %^&$! I hope they try out Chevrolets! :(
 
Man I wonder what happened? Ward had a top 10 at Lowe's too! :( :angry:
 
I hope DBR goes to Chevys. Ward would become my 2nd favorite driver. :D
 
Now they basically have to go to something else...and If I were them I would start testing something, and then at Daytona start racing it...and have a whole new half of a year to work with the new car make.
 
But wouldn't they be pretty low on the totem pole with Chevys? They'd be behind RCR, DEI, Gibbs, Hendrick, I don't think they'd get close to the support those teams do.
 
Thats very true, but Scott WImmer allready has some chevys...and It always seems as if the Chevys always do better, as long as they dont get fords!!!!!! :)
 
You guys have to realize that if in fact BDR was in talks with Toyota (which is what is being speculated) then what manufactuer is going to want give them support? And if they do will they give them equal support? If it is true that he was flirting with Toyota the Bill Davis dug his own grave.
 
Bill needs to make some fast decisions before it really starts to damage his team. :(
 
I bet they will stick with Dodge, they stilll have all the infor that they have already recived. They will just have to buy some of the other factoyr items, just like the non-factory teams with any brand does!
( In the article it say BAM does not get support but when Beth Ann was on IWC monday she said they did?)
Hopefully that means Dodge will give the Pettys a little more attension!!!!

Chip does run factory Toyotas in the IRL, so i bet he has some hand in with the developemnt of the truck and possible cup teams. I seriously doubt Chip would do anything untill he knows exactly when the toyota cup cars are ready to roll.
 
Originally posted by PettyBenson4510@May 30 2003, 03:56 AM
I bet they will stick with Dodge, they stilll have all the infor that they have already recived. They will just have to buy some of the other factoyr items, just like the non-factory teams with any brand does!
( In the article it say BAM does not get support but when Beth Ann was on IWC monday she said they did?)
Hopefully that means Dodge will give the Pettys a little more attension!!!!

Chip does run factory Toyotas in the IRL, so i bet he has some hand in with the developemnt of the truck and possible cup teams. I seriously doubt Chip would do anything untill he knows exactly when the toyota cup cars are ready to roll.
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Buying a another brand of factory team will not guarantee that factory will continue to support Bill Davis Racing.
IF....................... Bill Davis was in negotiation with Toyota, it is a direct conflict with the goals of Dodge in both Winston Cup and Craftsman Truck Series racing.

Chip Gnassi races Toyota in the IRL series, a different entity altogether and this series is not under the umbrella of the NASCAR organization.

There are different levels of factory assistance starting with supplying sheet metal and engine blocks to the many other perks Evernham Racing receive. While Dodge might say they give no support to BAM, they might not consider the smaller contribution to BAM as factory support by comparison. Petty most likely is already on the same level as Evernham or close to it.
There is a problem at Petty Enterprises as winning does not seem to be the highest priority. This operation leaves the impression they are living with past name recognition and securing sponsors based on that alone while getting a team together to produce wins is not the highest priority. This is sad and ever since Richard retired, the team record has been less than spectacular. We're not talking another 200 wins here, when one a year would do. Is that asking too much from an organization that has been so successsful??? :mellow:
 
Ganassi and Penske have a heavy tie in with Toyota in the IRL, thus they can work with the NASCAR Toyota program, Dodge looks the other way. Bill Davis lacks the money to use that kind of influence; thus Dodge wanted to send a clear message to any other team not to talk to Toyota - this will even send a message to the lower level Ford, Chevy and Pontiac teams. Toyota is not coming to NASCAR to finish 2nd, they will outspend every other manufacturer to win, just look what they have done in open wheel.
 
from everything i have ever heard Bill Davis is one of the nicest owners in the sport, but being nice doesn't get you far in this sport.
If he was talking with Toyota more power to him. Look where he is in the Dodge pecking order, more than not he was last, to many powerful owners in the DODGE camp.
I agree that if DODGE has terminated his contract if i were him the sheet metal would start comming off today.
 
Originally posted by redrock@May 30 2003, 01:44 PM
Ganassi and Penske have a heavy tie in with Toyota in the IRL, thus they can work with the NASCAR Toyota program, Dodge looks the other way.
Click to expand...
Redrock, do the teams of Gnassi and Penske work with the Toyota NASCAR truck program and if so in what capacity?? I hadn't read or heard anything along those lines and am curious about this information. :mellow:
 
Jayski now says Bill Davis Racing tested Wimmer at Dover in a Chevy for the cup race. Maybe that had a lot to do with Dodge's anger.
 
Penske has no ties to the truck series; Ganassi has already been contracted with Toyota Racing Development to work in partnership to build the Toyota facility in the (I think) Charlotte area, this was done in a press release. Roger Penske owns the worlds largest Toyota dealership. But also has deep ties to Mercedes(a.k.a. Dodge) through his Ilmor engine development business.
 
I'm guessing here, but I bet that BDR found something in the engine & wouldn't share it with that nosey little twit "Ray Evernham". Dodge has the one team concept through all of their teams.

I heard that's why Gary DeHart left Hendrick in the mid-90's & of course came back after Ray left. He would poke around the #5 shop, but never shared anything he found with the #5 team.

I'm sure they'll be in Pontiacs since that is what they are most familar with, but Bill has a history with Ford & Jeff Gordon in the Busch series...so you never know.
 
Originally posted by N2racin88@May 29 2003, 08:14 PM
You guys have to realize that if in fact BDR was in talks with Toyota (which is what is being speculated) then what manufactuer is going to want give them support?  And if they do will they give them equal support?  If it is true that he was flirting with Toyota the Bill Davis dug his own grave.
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I figure Penske to jump ship to Toyota when they come to Cup. He owns Toyota dealerships & has always been quick to change makes in WC.
 
Originally posted by park30fan@May 30 2003, 10:17 AM
Jayski now says Bill Davis Racing tested Wimmer at Dover in a Chevy for the cup race. Maybe that had a lot to do with Dodge's anger.
Click to expand...
Read the other day that BDR had no plans of putting Scott in the Dover race, so not sure why they would have tested there.
 
What if more then one Dodge camp was flirting with Toyota (Chip) and to send a warning message Dodge pecked off the low man on the totum pole as a warning?
 
I'm still wondering how NASCAR is letting Toyota come into the Truck series?
I'm no engine guru, but the engine gurus I work with say they never made a
standard V-8 push rod engine. That they only make dual overhead cam V-8's?
They are going to be able to make way more HP & blow everyone that still is
in a F-150, Silverado & Ram away. Even if they develop there own push rod
V-8, they have nothing to base it on & will be able to develop a race engine
from the get-go (not a production engine) & will still have the advantage.
But why would they spend all that $$$ on tooling up a long block?

But a lot of NASCAR's decisions don't surprise me anymore. Ol' DW says the
flood gates were opened when they let the Taurus race since it was a four
door coupe. But I disagree, the flood gates were open back in the late 80's
when they let Chevy change a front wheel drive car (Lumina) into a rear
wheel drive for racing and also let them extend the wheel base to match the
Thunderbird.
 
Originally posted by N2racin88@May 30 2003, 05:56 PM
What if more then one Dodge camp was flirting with Toyota (Chip) and to send a warning message Dodge pecked off the low man on the totum pole as a warning?
Click to expand...
good perception, but wouldnt you think PE is lower on the totem poll than BDR?

and also, does the fact that Wimmer ran Chevy in the Busch series have anything to do with it?

just some things to question...
 
Originally posted by 17_Fan+May 30 2003, 12:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (17_Fan @ May 30 2003, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--park30fan@May 30 2003, 10:17 AM
Jayski now says Bill Davis Racing tested Wimmer at Dover in a Chevy for the cup race.&nbsp; Maybe that had a lot to do with Dodge's anger.
Click to expand...
Read the other day that BDR had no plans of putting Scott in the Dover race, so not sure why they would have tested there. [/b][/quote]
I read somewhere at Jayski that the reason they didn't enter him in the cup race was because they did not have a good test.
 
Originally posted by park30fan+May 30 2003, 08:30 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (park30fan @ May 30 2003, 08:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by -17_Fan@May 30 2003, 12:49 PM
<!--QuoteBegin--park30fan
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@May 30 2003, 10:17 AM
Jayski now says Bill Davis Racing tested Wimmer at Dover in a Chevy for the cup race.  Maybe that had a lot to do with Dodge's anger.
Click to expand...

Read the other day that BDR had no plans of putting Scott in the Dover race, so not sure why they would have tested there.
Click to expand...
I read somewhere at Jayski that the reason they didn't enter him in the cup race was because they did not have a good test. [/b][/quote]
Yup, you're right...

3rd Davis Team at Dover UPDATE nope: Bill Davis Racing will field a third
[#27] Winston Cup entry at the June 1 race at Dover, Del., for its Busch
series driver Scott Wimmer, team officials confirmed Saturday. BDR currently
fields the #22 Caterpillar Dodges for Ward Burton and the #23 Stacker 2
Dodges for Kenny Wallace. Wimmer is scheduled to test his Cup car Monday and
Tuesday at Dover.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-18-2003)
UPDATE: No Double Duty: Wimmer will not be competing in the Winston Cup
event this weekend at Dover as previously announced.. "We weren't pleased
with our results from the test, so we decided not to attempt to run this
race," said owner, Bill Davis.. "We weren't obligated to run this race, so
we elected not to do so.. We are still planning on running Scott in some Cup
races this year, but we haven't determined which ones they'll be yet."(Bill
Davis Racing PR)(5-28-2003)
 
If I were Bill Davis,I would cut ties with Daimler-Chrysler(Or whatever MOPAR is called these days)and run to FORD with my hat in my hand.As pointed out,Davis does have a history with Ford and only the Blue Oval can really challenge NASCAR-endorsed Chevrolet.

Team Ford is down on numbers with the defection of Penske and Wells and certainly need another established team.This would be a good match.Remember a small 'link' with Roush is thru Martin and his early work with Davis,Stoddard and his former job with Roush and the Burton connection.Ford is the one who introduced BDR to WC in the first place...bringing Jeff Gordons old BGN team up to the top level,painting 'maxwell house' on the navy blue #22 fords and recommending driver Bobby Labonte.

The Cat car needs an oval on front.Put your hat in your hand,Bill.Tell both Dodge and Toyota sayonara....and get back where you belong!
 
Originally posted by robby.31.is.#1@May 30 2003, 08:13 PM
good perception, but wouldnt you think PE is lower on the totem poll than BDR?
Click to expand...
Its Petty as in Richard Petty Enterprises though. WSJ is reporting that NASCAR has given Toyota Tony Stewarts confiscated Texas car and DJ's cofiscated Winston engine for research and development. If that is the case IMO that is bogus.
 
Originally posted by N2racin88+May 31 2003, 02:19 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (N2racin88 @ May 31 2003, 02:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--robby.31.is.#1@May 30 2003, 08:13 PM
good perception, but wouldnt you think PE is lower on the totem poll than BDR?
Click to expand...
Its Petty as in Richard Petty Enterprises though. WSJ is reporting that NASCAR has given Toyota Tony Stewarts confiscated Texas car and DJ's cofiscated Winston engine for research and development. If that is the case IMO that is bogus. [/b][/quote]
Now that would be a pretty sleazy move. even by NASCAR's standards
 
Gary Nelson, director of safety for NASCAR sez....... the JGR car is in a locked room with three separate keys necessary to gain access and no one sees the car because of the design. NASCAR spokeman also state the car might leave the facility but it will be minus the sheet metal when or if it leaves NASCAR's custody.

As for the engine, where is it ?? THere must have been more to the engine being confiscated than is being told. Remember the situation where Stewart's car was taken and NASCAR was reluctant to offer a reason and Gibbs said the car was legal. Later it became known the rear window was irregular in some way and was of such concern to NASCAR they placed it in a secure environment. Gibbs swears the car is legal but action and response from NASCAR indicate concern of the design, legal or not.
NASCAR need only to offer some evidence these items are still under thier care and not available to outside sources to dispel these rumors.

Until then, it would be hard to think NASCAR "gave" these to Toyota when there are engines and cars that could be purchased from any source such as Hendrick, Roush, Childress, etc..
 
Originally posted by 97forever@May 31 2003, 07:16 AM
If I were Bill Davis,I would cut ties with Daimler-Chrysler(Or whatever MOPAR is called these days)and run to FORD with my hat in my hand.As pointed out,Davis does have a history with Ford and only the Blue Oval can really challenge NASCAR-endorsed Chevrolet.

Team Ford is down on numbers with the defection of Penske and Wells and certainly need another established team.This would be a good match.Remember a small 'link' with Roush is thru Martin and his early work with Davis,Stoddard and his former job with Roush and the Burton connection.Ford is the one who introduced BDR to WC in the first place...bringing Jeff Gordons old BGN team up to the top level,painting 'maxwell house' on the navy blue #22 fords and recommending driver Bobby Labonte.

The Cat car needs an oval on front.Put your hat in your hand,Bill.Tell both Dodge and Toyota sayonara....and get back where you belong!
Click to expand...
Good point 97!!! I didn't think of the link BD had with bringing Jack & Mark together in WC racing & the fact that BD went WC racing with Bobby LaBonte in the #22 Maxwell House Thunderbird. Too bad Bobby lost the ROTY to that fella in the #24 Dupont Chevy.
 
But at this point--- they would be so far down on the pecking order of Ford (or Chevy & Pontiac) Who's to say that this would be any better?

Would they be excepted with open arms by any other manufacturer considering all the "talk"??

I got this from Stockcar fans Newsletter:

- Bill Davis Racing was found in breech of contract by Dodge.&nbsp; The
issue
at this point is undiclosed, however rumor has it that Davis was
working
with Toyota on his truck program.

- Davis Racing will be able to continue to use the Dodge equipment, but
will have to pay for the equipment as any independent would.

- Davis Racing will lose access to the information sharing and the
facilities that Dodge offers to those under contract.&nbsp; This includes
the
Wind Tunnel in Michigan.

What does all this mean?&nbsp; Well at this point Bill Davis racing has been
blackballed from Dodge.&nbsp; There are rumors that legal action will follow
as well as rumors that they are trying to work things out.&nbsp; Time will
tell.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Whizzer@May 30 2003, 12:47 PM
[QUOTE: There are different levels of factory assistance starting with supplying sheet metal and engine blocks to the many other perks Evernham Racing receive. While Dodge might say they give no support to BAM, they might not consider the smaller contribution to BAM as factory support by comparison. QUOTE ]



Click to expand...
:D In a column in the Raleigh News and Observer today, it clearly stated BAM gets no sheet metal or other support from Dodge.
I guess they really are low on the totem pole. :D
 
All of you folks who are claiming that Toyota has no experience with pushrod V8 engines:
Toyota has been building pushrod V8's for the full size limo's sold in Japan and other Asian countries for years now. At one time they built a beautiful small Hemi, very much like the early Chrysler engines, better engineered, lighter in weight, etc.
Toyota has no need to get an engine or chassis from NASCAR. They can buy the best on the open market with no problems at all.

Remember the reporter that TS knocked the recorder out of his hand? Do you really believe that either TS or Zippy are going to give that same reporter some sort of exclusive story?
Sure, that might happen when the sky falls on Chicken Little's head or we can spend our vacation on the beaches of Antartica.
Actually, they might give old Mike just that, a great story! Toss out the story, sit back and watch him run it and laugh like the dickens every time they see more mention of it in the media.
 
I was suprised when they showed the cars on TV and they still have the Dodge stickers on the front and rear bumpers; If I was Davis I would have made sure they where scratched real bad at the start of the race so they just read "Do" or put black electrical tape over them in protest.
 
They very well could just take off everything that says Dodge! Headlights, Tail lights and anything that says Dodges!!
James Finch for years never ran any markings on his car because he never had support from the manufacture. Then when Chip steped in to help Finch and so did Dodge, so thats why the #1BGN and #09Cup have the Dodge markings now!
If I was Davis that is what I would do take off all the markings of Dodge!

I was kinda glad that Toyota was comign to NASCAR, but after all this stuff thats going on the reading that the big bucks Toyota is spending and will spend, I also am getting worried. Just read on jayski that GM and Ford might rethink there support in NASCAR and very wel could back out of the trucks, if Toyota spends the big bucks that GMand Ford can't sepnd!

The price is getting out of hand in NASCAR. They need to think about putting some sort of salary cap on sponsorships per year! Like maybe 18Million Max for primary and 5 million max for secondary. Per year!
 
Just dawned on me! Didn't NASCAR get away for factory backed teams in the 60s or 70s? All of a sudden they are back in with Dodge, and now Toyota?
 
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