Bill Davis, an Arkansas native, had already built a successful trucking business before he ever thought of throwing his hat into the world of racing. Racing was supposed to be a hobby for Davis. The idea was that racing would be a way to get away from the daily stresses that escalate from owning a business. Ironically, it was Davis’ interest in the trucking business that bridged his path into a career in racing. Eventually, the sport became his number one priority.

"I’ve been involved in racing since high school," said Davis. "During high school, I helped Bob Himes’ Top Fuel drag racing team. They were a local team that operated out of a shop in Little Rock, Ark., close to my house. From 1969 until 1972, I raced motocross at some local tracks around Little Rock and across the United States.

”Davis’ relationship with long-time friend Julian Martin, father of future Winston Cup star Mark Martin, impelled him to consider a business of his own.

"I grew up knowing the Martin’s," said Bill Davis. "My father and Mark’s father, Julian, were good friends. Julian sparked my interest in both racing and the trucking business.

”Although Davis enjoyed racing, his first love had been with the trucking business. An increased desire in the trucking business prompted Davis to buy his first truck. Bill Davis Trucking was open for business in June 1975.

"I bought one truck," said Davis. "And Julian called and asked me to come to work for his trucking business, Julian Martin, Inc. (JMI). It actually worked out well because I was able to lease my trucks to him.

”The last week of 1975, Davis moved himself and his trucks from Little Rock to Batesville, Ark., and went to work dispatching trucks for JMI. During this time, Davis helped the Martin’s with their ASA program.

A few years later, Davis decided to return to his own company, Bill Davis Trucking. He severed his ties with JMI and started operating under his own name once again. Davis continued adding trucks to his budding business.

Although Davis was no longer working at JMI, he continued helping with the Martin’s race program. Martin’s son, Mark, was competing almost every weekend and Davis traveled with the pair to lend a hand.

In 1981 and 1982, Mark Martin operated his own team where he competed on the Winston Cup level. Davis and Julian Martin were traveling almost every weekend to Mark’s races. In 1983, Martin began driving full-time for car owner J.D. Stacey. For the time being, Davis stepped away from Mark’s career. But by that time it was too late for Davis to turn back. The racing bug had struck and struck hard.

1987 was a pivotal year for Davis as he built an ASA car for Martin to compete around the Midwest.

In 1988, Jack Roush was launching his Winston Cup effort and wanted Martin to drive the No. 6 entry. Steve Hmiel and Robin Pemberton had been hired to work with Martin at Roush Racing.

In the meantime, Davis wanted to continue his race team if he could find a sponsor. Martin found Carolina Ford Dealers who were interested in running 15 Busch Series races with him. Roush saw that as a plus and was quick to offer help.

"It was a real great deal," admits Davis. "We had a great driver that was very knowledgeable about the cars. The driver, along with his Winston Cup crew, was very interested in having quality time in the Busch car on Saturdays.

It made sense for Steve, Robin and Jack to help us. It provided Mark with more laps on the track and real pit stop practice for his crew. It was good for everybody, especially for us.

”Davis, Martin and Carolina Ford Dealers continued their relationship through the end of the 1990 season. It was then that Martin encouraged Davis to commit to the racing business.

”At the end of the 1990 season, Mark came to me and told me that if I wanted to be taken seriously that I had to commit and move to North Carolina," said Davis. "I told myself that I really liked being a part of racing, but I had a business and employees in Arkansas. I was on the fence, I didn’t know what to do.

”Davis decided to make the move to High Point, N.C., while his wife, Gail, stayed in Arkansas to run Bill Davis Trucking, Inc.

Shortly after his move to the Tar Heel State, Ford executives called Davis’ attention to a young open-wheel racer from the Midwest by the name of Jeff Gordon.

"Lee Morse, Ford’s racing chief, and Michael Kranefuss got us watching Jeff, but it was our decision to hire him," said Davis. "Jeff qualified on the outside pole at Rockingham in his first Busch series race and that made up our minds. We signed Jeff to drive the Carolina Ford Dealers car for the 1991 season.

"In 1992, we got backing from Baby Ruth and hired Ray Evernham. We had a phenomenal season. We broke every record there was, including 11 pole positions (a single-season record), most money in a season and most laps led.

Martin and Gordon had put Bill Davis Racing on the map. The success that Gordon experienced caught the eyes of other owners. Davis was working on plans to take Gordon and Evernham to Winston Cup in 1993. Meanwhile, Gordon and his crew chief had been lured away by Rick Hendrick.

"Bill Davis Racing rebounded and we were able to sign Bobby Labonte and Maxwell House to a full-time Winston Cup deal," said Davis. "We had a solid rookie season. We finished 19th in the points and had top-five and top-10 finishes and won a pole. We had a great rookie season, but it was overshadowed by Jeff Gordon, who finished 14th in the points.

”Davis and Labonte worked together for two years. Maxwell House made the decision to get out of racing after the 1994 season. As that season was wrapping up, Davis was close to signing a sponsor but had nothing in writing. Because there were no definite plans for 1995, Davis allowed Labonte to pursue an opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing. Soon after Labonte’s departure, MBNA signed a three-year contract to sponsor Davis’ No. 22 Winston Cup entry.

Davis recruited Randy LaJoie, who had made a name for himself racing around the northeast. LaJoie competed the first half of the season, but a lack of chemistry left Davis to find yet another driver. After a few pinch hitters, Davis secured Virginia native Ward Burton to drive the remaining nine races. Seven races later, Davis and Burton won their first Winston Cup race at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. In 2002, they went on to win the biggest race in NASCAR Winston Cup Series competition, the Daytona 500. Davis’ Busch team also had a stellar 2002 season with driver, Scott Wimmer, winning four of the final eight races of the season.

In 2003, Burton continued as the driver for the CAT car, while Davis added Kenny Wallace to the NASCAR Cup roster in the No. 23 Stacker 2 Dodge. Wimmer competed in the Busch series for another season, piloting the No. 23 Stacker 2 Chevrolet. With four races to go in the season, Wimmer took over as the driver for the No. 22 CAT Dodge and returned as the full-time driver for the 2004 season, marking his rookie year in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

Davis has come a long way during his tenure as a NASCAR car owner and has consistently surrounded himself with quality personnel. Derrick Finley is serving as the crew chief for the Nextel Cup operation, while Doug Wolcott, Greg Ely and Jeff Hensley serve as the crew chiefs for Davis' truck teams. Terry Elledge, an accomplished engine builder, continues to improve the reliability and horsepower to the BDR motor program. Mike Brown, general manager of Bill Davis Racing, has provided the leadership necessary to keep things in order.

Davis built a successful trucking business, shifted gears and steered his way into NASCAR where he has built a successful race team. Davis will admit it has been a bumpy ride at times, but it also has been the ride of a lifetime that he wouldn't trade for anything.