Canadian Marty Gaunt named VP of Bill Davis Racing

HIGH POINT, N.C. (April 7, 2008) – Bill Davis, President of Bill Davis Racing (BDR), announced today a reorganization of the company's management team. Davis, who with wife Gail has fielded teams in NASCAR for over 20 years, has added several key personnel and shifted several others within the organization. All changes are effective immediately.

NASCAR veteran Marty Gaunt has been named Vice President of Bill Davis Racing.  Gaunt, a native of Toronto, Ont., Canada, began his tenure in NASCAR in 1996 and has held similar positions at Penske Racing and Team Red Bull.  Gaunt was also part owner of Red Horse Racing.

"It's an honor for me to able to be a part of Bill Davis Racing with Bill and Gail," stated Gaunt. "Bill has fielded teams for 21 years now and to be considered to be a part of the reorganization is a great opportunity. I'm excited about the tasks at hand and ready to get started."

Mark Chambers, who previously served as team manager of BDR's highly successful NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series effort, will now assume the role of the general manager of Bill Davis Racing. Chambers, who has been with the team since 2006, takes over the GM role from Mike Brown, who will move into the position of Chief Financial Officer.

"I'm confident the modifications we've made to our management and front-office staff will make our entire organization stronger," stated Davis. "Our Truck Series program continues to thrive, but there isn't any doubt that the Cup Series program has struggled this year. Our partnership with Caterpillar is over 10 years strong, and we owe it to them and to ourselves to make sure we have the best possible people in the most important positions. We have great partners in Caterpillar and Toyota and we hope to continue our affiliation with them for many years to come. I'm confident the changes we've announced today will ensure a strong future for this team."

In addition, Davis has hired Jim Thomas as the organization's Director of Marketing. Thomas, a Florida native, has been the Director of Business Development for Sullivan Worldwide Marketing Group, a leading strategic marketing and planning agency to the United States motorsports industry. Prior to that, he spent several years within the financial arm of Southeast Toyota.
Bill Davis Racing currently fields the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, four Toyota Tundras in the Craftsman Truck Series and one team in the ARCA/REMAX Series.

From Chip Wile / Michelle Marckwardt / Bill Davis Racing

(editor's note: Congratulations Marty!... and good luck.)