Dodge ends contract with Bill Davis Racing

Elwood · May 29, 2003

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

May 29, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Dodge Motorsports has terminated its contract with Bill Davis Racing, cutting off all support and access to information for drivers Ward Burton and 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 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.

Dodge returned to NASCAR after a 16-year absence in 2001. Sterling Marlin gave Dodge its first win in August of that year and Burton gave the manufacturer its signature moment by winning the 2002 Daytona 500 in an Intrepid.

The manufacturer now has four official teams -- Penske Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises -- and nine drivers.

Ken Schrader drives a Dodge for BAM Motorsports, but the team does not receive factory support.

Shadowfax · May 30, 2003

Read on jayski that its been reported they had tested a chevy at dover for a cup race with Wimmer driving it. Perhaps we could be seeing BDR in a GM product again in the near future?

Elwood · May 30, 2003

Maybe, but from the sounds of it they're going to be on a Toyota in a couple years. Once Toyota gets into Trucks next year, they'll be in BGN and WC within a couple years that's what Dodge did.

General Lee 01 · May 30, 2003

Maybe Ward Burton bought an 03 Silverado for himself and dodge got jealous.

Idon't see Toyota happening until atleast 4 or 5 years,

As for the restofthis season,ifBDRweretomake a channge,Iexpectit tobe with either Ford orChevy,as it would bekinda degradingfor themtogo crawling back to Pontiac after ditchingthem 2 years ago.