Daytona 500-winning NASCAR team owner Bill Davis has passed away at the age of 74
NASCAR announced Davis’ death in a statement Sunday (Sept. 7) afternoon.
“A championship-winning leader and owner, Bill Davis made a lasting mark on our sport through his passion and unwavering belief in the people around him,” the statement said. “His teams celebrated some of NASCAR’s most prestigious victories, including the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500. Bill was more than a competitor — he was a friend to all in the garage, respected for his kindness, generosity, and genuine love for racing. NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to his wife and business partner Gail, the Davis family, and Bill’s many friends during this difficult time.”
A native of Fayetteville, Ark., Davis made his NASCAR debut as a team owner in 1988, fielding Busch Grand National entries with Mark Martin. In 1991, Jeff Gordon became the organization’s full-time Busch Series driver, staying with BDR through the end of 1992.
Bobby Labonte piloted the team’s first Cup Series car in 1993. In 1995, Ward Burton – the longest-tenured Cup Series driver in team history – made nine starts with the organization before becoming the team’s full-time Cup Series driver in 1996.
It was with Burton behind the wheel that BDR found the most success in the Cup Series. In 1995, Burton won the team’s first race at Rockingham Speedway. In 1999, Burton notched a ninth-place points finish, the highest in team history.
Davis and Burton reached the pinnacle of stock-car racing when Burton won the 2002 Daytona 500, earning the biggest win in company history.
Tommy Baldwin Jr., who was the crew chief for the No. 22 team that year, posted a tribute to Davis.
Burton earned the organization’s final Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July 2002. BDR’s final Cup Series season was in 2008, when Dave Blaney ran 35 of 36 races and finished 30th in the standings.
Bill Davis Racing led the charge for Toyota in the automaker’s early years of NASCAR competition. In 2004, BDR bought Bang! Racing, a struggling Truck Series organization, and quickly turned it into a successful operation. In 2006, Johnny Benson Jr. won five races and finished second in the championship standings. Two years, later, Benson won the team’s only NASCAR title after another five-win campaign.
BDR ran its final NASCAR Truck Series race in 2008.
A member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Samuel also covers NASCAR for Yardbarker, Field Level Media, and Heavy Sports. He will attend the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2025.